The patchwork-like landscape that came into being halfway through the 20th century in the Rand is now out of step with the times. Empty office buildings, an emerging housing crisis and mobility grinding to a halt.

Twelve years ago the run-up to the municipal elections in Overijse turned out to be an eventful time. The upshot was that the Christian Democrats lost 7 seats, while Dirk Brankaer's small Overijse 2002 list increased its number of seats from three to nine.