The “Red Zone”: this was the name given at the end of the war to the areas ravaged by 4 years of conflict. The grounds were churned up, the towns and cities almost totally destroyed and the infrastructures wrecked.

Choices concerning reconstruction of the towns and cities were made based on the wishes of elected members and suggestions from architects.

Towns like Arras were rebuilt exactly as they were, others preferred a traditional style adapted to new urban planning, like in Bailleul.

In Béthune in particular, a neo-Flemish style was chosen. Modern materials for the period, like concrete, were often used in preference to traditional materials like brick and stone.