Hasselt/Genk, Belgium

In the heart of Flanders, Hasselt and Genk form a dynamic metropolitan area where innovation, mobility, and industrial activity converge. Genk’s past is rooted in coal and automotive manufacturing, while Hasselt is known for its vibrant cultural scene, green policies, and growing service sector. Together they represent a region balancing economic transformation with environmental responsibility – an ideal setting for studying the health impacts of modern urban development.

Innovation region facing mobility, industry and environmental pressure

Hasselt and Genk form a dynamic metropolitan area combining industrial sites, major transport corridors, and rapidly evolving social structures.
They bring to MISTRAL:

• Birth cohort observations, enabling analysis of early-life susceptibility
• Longitudinal biomonitoring programmes, tracking exposures over time
• Advanced air-quality and traffic monitoring systems, ideal for mobility and emissions modelling