Because every neighborhood has its own characteristics and challenges, each district has its own mobility plan, together with the residents. Starting this week, residents and entrepreneurs of Dampoort and Oud Gentbrugge are invited to visit the Mobility market where they can share their ideas for a nicer and safer neighborhood.
Residents of the neighborhoods around the city center require a safe, pleasant and accessible neighborhood. That is why the city council is starting to draw up neighborhood mobility plans. Seven neighborhoods will be covered over the next six years. Dampoort and Oud Gentbrugge will kick off.
By drawing up a neighborhood mobility plan, the city wants to make the neighborhood safer, more accessible and more pleasant for everyone. Preventing through traffic and increasing the quality of life by giving more space to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport are essential in this respect.
Mobility markets to share ideas
“Every neighborhood is different and has its own needs and wishes. The residents themselves know best. That is why we involve them in the preparation of the new plans. Various resident groups are active on the Dampoort and in Gentbrugge, working on mobility in the neighborhood. So fertile ground to make a strong, participatory plan. ”, according to Astrid De Bruycker, Alderman for Participation.
The Mobility Market is only one way to give people the opportunity to participate in the plans. From next week, everyone can also pass on and share their ideas for more quality of life in the neighborhood online, via email and by telephone. In addition, there are idea boards in a number of places in the districts. Everyone can share ideas with the stickers that are in the mailboxes in the district this week.
“We also want more safety and a better quality of life in the neighborhoods. Therefore, through traffic does not belong in the residential areas. We clearly opt for more walking, cycling and public transport. We are investigating how we put this into practice together with the residents. ”, said Filip Watteeuw, Alderman for Mobility.
Neighborhood mobility plans in the pipeline
Dampoort and Oud Gentbrugge will start this year. Next year it will be the turn of Zwijnaarde. Then follow Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Wondelgem-Kolegem-Bloemekenswijk, Ledeberg-Moscou and Muide-Meulestede.
Low emission zone Ghent 2020
To improve air quality, the city center of Ghent or the area within the R40 will become a low emission zone (LEZ) from 1 January 2020. The most polluting vehicles are no longer allowed to enter the zone. According to a study by the Environment and Climate Department, the soot concentrations in the air can fall by an average of 10 to 24% after the introduction of a low-emission zone. An important contribution to the health of the Gentenaars.
Also read: Ghent will strongly limit parking spaces in front gardens
