How did Antwerp’s fortified walls change into broad avenues and ring roads?

Antwerp’s transformation of its fortifications occurred in two distinct phases during the 19th and 20th centuries:

• 19th-Century Transformation: Until 1859, the city remained enclosed by its 16th-century fortified walls. During the latter half of the 19th century, these walls were dismantled and converted into broad avenues. This project coincided with the construction of a larger, outer belt of fortifications that encircled the city.1

• Post-World War II Development: Following World War II, the 19th-century encircling belt of fortifications was replaced by a modern system of ring roads. These roads were designed to integrate with a broader network of national and international highways, facilitating improved connectivity for the city.1