The decision to cover the Senne River was a significant component of the urban reforms being implemented in Brussels during the mid-19th century. The Senne, which flowed through the heart of the city, had long been viewed as a liability rather than an asset. By the 1860s, it was plagued by pollution and contributed to health problems, as the city was experiencing rapid industrial and population growth. A move to bury the river was seen as a progressive step towards modernizing the urban environment, a reflection of similar transformations occurring across Europe during this period.

The construction marked the beginning of a major infrastructural and aesthetic overhaul of the city. The project entailed not only the covering of the river but also the development of new boulevards that would serve as important thoroughfares for transport and trade. This was a vital step in reshaping Brussels into a more organized and vibrant metropolitan area. The transformation involved the construction of durable materials and the adaptation of existing streets and buildings, marrying functionality with architectural beauty.

Public sentiments around the project varied. While some praised the effort to clean up the city and improve living conditions, others were concerned about the potential loss of natural landscapes and the cultural implications of burying a waterway that had been a part of the city’s history. Despite these objections, the covering of the Senne paved the way for a series of urban developments and encouraged the further expansion of Brussels into a modern capital.