Contents

Izegem

City and municipality in Flemish Community, Belgium

Izegem
City and municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Izegem
Izegem Location in Belgium Location of Izegem in West Flanders
Coordinates: 50°55′N 03°12′E / 50.917°N 3.200°E / 50.917; 3.200
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	West Flanders
Arrondissement	Roeselare
Government
• Mayor	Bert Maertens (NV-A)
• Governing party/ies	NV-A, CD&V
Area
• Total	25.63 km2 (9.90 sq mi)
Population  (2022-01-01)[1]
• Total	28,845
• Density	1,100/km2 (2,900/sq mi)
Postal codes	8870
NIS code	36008
Area codes	051
Website	www.izegem.be

Izegem (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈizəɣɛm]; West Flemish: Yzegem) is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Izegem proper and the towns of Emelgem and Kachtem. Emelgem was added to Izegem in 1965, Kachtem in 1977. Izegem itself lies on the southern banks of the Mandel, Emelgem and Kachtem on the north. Along the shores of the canal a large industrial zone has developed, which made the three municipalities one urban area. On January 1, 2006, Izegem had a total population of 26,544. The total area is 25.48 km² (9.84 sq mi) which gives a population density of 1,042 inhabitants per km².

Izegem is also known as the pekkerstad, borstelstadorschoenenstad. The river Mandel and the canal Roeselare–Leie run throughout the city. Izegem used to be famous for its shoe- and brush-making. Today there are only a few factories left, but the city houses a shoe- and brush museum. Until the 1920s, Izegem was often spelled Iseghem, which can be found on old passport applications,^[2] birth records, and gazetteers.^[3] The Van Iseghem surname originally referred to this city.

Izegem shares borders with the following villages and towns:

• a. Ingelmunster (town Ingelmunster)
• b. Lendelede (town Lendelede)
• c. Sint-Eloois-Winkel (town Ledegem)
• d. Rumbeke (city Roeselare)
• e. Roeselare (city Roeselare)
• f. Ardooie (town Ardooie)
• g. Meulebeke (town Meulebeke)

Notable people[edit]

• Ancestral town of famed British actor Dirk Bogarde through paternal grandfather Aimé Van Den Bogaerde.^[4][5][6]
• Johan Bruyneel, former professional cyclist and director of Team RadioShack who led Lance Armstrong during the Tour de France was born here.
• The band members of 't Hof van Commerce, including singer–songwriter Flip Kowlier, are from Izegem.
• Bart Staes, member of the European Parliament, was born in Izegem.
• Yves Lampaert, professional cyclist, was born here in 1991.
• Ulla Werbrouck, judoka, Olympic gold winner at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
• Martijn Wydaeghe, rally co-driver competing alongside Thierry Neuville at the World Rally Championship.

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Media related to Izegem at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website - Mostly in Dutch