Utrecht is no stranger to sustainable, livable-city schemes. It is the 4th largest city in The Netherlands and has an enlightened population including tens of thousands of students attending the country’s largest University. One third of Utrecht’s citizens cycle into town daily, 1/4 of all trips use “pedal power” and there is an abundance of awesome bike parking like “Bike Park”, which can store 12,500 bikes and ebikes!
Updated in January, 2023, Utrecht once again topped the Global Bike Cities Index as the “World’s Most Cycling-Friendly City”. The Index, compiled by digital insurance company Luko, analyzed 90 cities from across the globe. It ranks the most “cycling-friendly” cities in the world based on extensive data including: bike and ebike usage; crime & safety; infrastructure; bike sharing & rentals; and awareness-events. Details of the rankings and the methodology of how Luko got there may be studied here. Munster, Antwerp, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Malmo, Hangzhou, and Bern, rounded out the top eight. Unfortunately, not one North American city cracked the top twenty. Vancouver was the highest rated, in this particular survey, garnering 37th place.
The always informative “Cycling Professor” (@fietsprofessor) recently posted a video from The World Economic Forum previewing Utrecht’s inspirational eco-neighbourhood called “Merwede”.
Credit: BURA Urbanism
Set to be completed by 2024, Merwede (which means “wide water” or “canal” in Dutch) will house 12,000 residents encouraged to walk, cycle or take public transit. The project’s vision of 6,000 dwellings in 200 buildings - with green roofs & walls, solar panels, courtyards, and parks - is being developed on a 24 hectare business park of offices in the south-west of the city.
There will be permits for only 1 vehicle per every 4 homes, every car must be shared and not allowed on the community’s streets. All necessities - such as shopping, medical facilities and primary schools - will be within walking distance. Cycling routes will link the area to the city-centre and public transport will connect to all points in the Netherlands.
View more details of the impressive Master Plan from architects & designers BURA Urbanism.
We cannot wait to see this district come to life!