During my exchange semester in Belgium, I visited the abandoned town of Doel. Due to expansion plans for the port of Antwerp, the town was scheduled for demolition years ago. However, the demolition date was delayed time and time again, because the locals put up resistance.
Over time, the Doel became somewhat of an Eldorado for street artists, who came from all over and progressively repainted the whole town. This however led to demands for turning Doel into protected heritage.
Because of vandalism committed by both reckless street artists and tourists, and because of the constant demolition threats, more and more of the original inhabitants left the town.
What remains is a ghost of the towns former self, an eerie feeling and some beautiful street art.