The article's description of Antwerp's heyday made me think of current-day Singapore.
For the sake of the people of Singapore, I hope their future will follow a different path!
Is that a comment on modern day Antwerp, or some period covered in the article?
If Antwerp is anything like Brussels these days then the op is right. The people living in Brussels have little love for their city, sometimes it feels like they consider themselves guests awaiting their departure. Many Western European cities suffer from similar malaises. Singapore is utopian by comparison.
For what it’s worth, I think Antwerp is a much nicer place to live than Brussels. I’d say they’re almost polar opposites. A lot of industries just don’t exist in Antwerp but if your work situation is sorted then rent is cheap, everything is bikeable, there’s plenty to do, and people are friendly. I had to leave for other reasons, but I’d move back any time.
The latter mostly. Antwerp went through challenging times right after its heyday.