It is an outlying part of the municipality and is situated at the north-eastern edge of the Brussels-Capital Region, bordering Machelen outside the boundary.

[citation needed] The first mention of Haren dates from a little after 1050 in a book on the miracles of Saint Trudo and designates a villa.

[1] A second mention dated more precisely to 1138, relates to the foundation and endowment of the chapter of Saint Gudula (future cathedral of Brussels), the most important ecclesiastical owner in Haren.

The site, which was later used by the Belgian Air Force, serves since 2018 as NATO's new headquarters, previously located south of the Boulevard Léopold III/Leopold III-laan.

The marshalling yard of the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB/NMBS), sometimes referred to as Schaarbeek Vorming, is largely located within the territory of Haren.