Regeneration for Dutch new towns

February 2020

Dutch new towns with integrated cycle path networks have been around for fifty years. When these new towns were built, they were example cases for Dutch urban planning. Half a century later, shortcomings start to show, especially when it comes down to mobility choices. To compete with the private car in today’s world, public transport and cycling/walking have to be at a higher level of comfort and have to cater for higher speeds.

On its fiftieth anniversary, the new town Nieuwegein asked us to make an analysis of barriers and opportunities for smart mobility in the municipality, with special attention to the connections between the town centre and the rest of the town. We put to work, keeping in mind Nieuwegein’s ambition to become the most sustainable municipality in the Netherlands.

Improving mutual cohesion

We found that Nieuwegein’s tendency towards primary car use is mainly based on shortcomings for other forms of mobility. Bicycle paths, bicycle parking, bus and fast tram stops are often not in the ideal location, with limited connections for pedestrians and limited mutual cohesion. By optimising the comfort of these forms of mobility and allowing travel times to compete with private car use, much can be gained, without traditional motorised traffic loosing its main arteries in town. Various adjustments can also be made within existing residential areas to make sustainable alternatives more attractive as a main form of mobility.

After the first analysis phase, we are now involved in the next phase, in which we assist the municipality of Nieuwegein in policy-making around its ‘City Nieuwegein’ project. We use our extensive hands-on experience with mobility policy, we offer tailor-made solutions for new housing developments and we approach this project from a multidisciplinary perspective.