LABO RUIMTE: transitie in mobiliteit en ruimte

Abstract

LABO RUIMTE started the research 'Ghent, transition in mobility and space' in the spring of 2019. This research seeks to connect with the policy initiatives that have been taken in recent years concerning both mobility and space, and the debates that have been held around this in the media. The Flemish Government wants to work towards a modal shift, a shift towards more sustainable means of transport such as public transport or cycling, and a multimodal transport system in which users can easily switch between different modes. A lot of ambitions have also been formulated at the spatial level. Climate is high on the agenda and open space must be safeguarded as much as possible. The construction shift must ensure that we build healthy and attractive living and working environments by strengthening the cores and concentrating the demographic growth within the existing land use. Space and mobility are inextricably linked. For example, public or collective transport only works when a certain critical mass of inhabitants is reached. In order to provide inspiration for long-term choices on town and country planning and mobility, the study 'Ghent, transition in mobility and space' tests a number of scenarios for the future in the broad Ghent city region. How can you stimulate a greater coherence in an urban region between developments in mobility and the transformation of the built-up environment? Can a more polycentric spatial development of the region be a strategy to make public transport and urban developments feasible and qualitative in the peripheral municipalities of Ghent as well? How does the urban region develop a resilient mobility network in which combi-mobile users can switch smoothly between sustainable and shared means of transport? How do we link spatial development and compaction issues to this future mobility model?