Landbouwbelang (squat)

Landbouwbelang (LBB) is a squatted industrial building in Maastricht, Netherlands. It offers working space for artists and social entrepreneurs and functions as a venue for cultural events. It has been squatted since April 2002.

Landbouwbelang is located in the Boschstraatkwartier neighbourhood, on the bank of river Meuse (Maas) and next to the production site of a paper manufacturer Sappi.

History
The building was constructed in 1939 for processing and storing cereals by Vereniging Landbouwbelang Roermond. The cereal processing activities ceased in the 1970s and the building was acquired by the neighbouring paper mill until it was purchased by the City of Maastricht.

The space served as a venue for community events before being squatted on 6 April 2002. Landbouwbelang reported 10 000 annual visitors in 2015. Several artists, designers and social entrepreneurs have working spaces at Landbouwbelang.

Despite the Dutch squatting ban, removing squatters requires an eviction court order and in order to have that granted, the owner of the building needs to present a development plan for the squatted building. According to the communications of the City of Maastricht there were currently none as of 2016.