Detiège held a degree Licentiaat Handelswetenschappen (equivalent to a Master of Business Administration) and studied at the Handelshogeschool, a college now integrated in University of Antwerp.
While in the Chamber of Representatives, Detiège also became Alderman for Social Affairs (1947–1976), during the nearly 30 years of the mayoralty of Lode Craeybeckx in the city of Antwerp and in that capacity he was one of the most politically influential architects of post-war Antwerp.
When Craeybeckx in 1976, Detiège became mayor, but didn't stand for re-election at the end of the year.
He was promoted large scale social housing projects, sports and recreation facilities, a modern hospital, an open air museum for modern art and a new Municipal Slaughterhouse.
[1] Detiège modernised the public waste collection service and started a network of medical baby dispensaries, nurseries and pre-infant schools.