In Ghent, there is a fierce debate about the current mobility policy, with the focus on district mobility plans in particular.
While some residents are satisfied with the increased peace and space for cyclists and pedestrians, criticism is growing on the other side. Opponents point to new dangerous traffic situations, longer travel times and growing traffic jams, which are a source of frustration for many. In addition, the discussions reveal that, according to the critics, the city does not listen sufficiently to the concerns of the residents, which only further contributes to the polarization.
The neighbourhood mobility plans, implemented in Oud Gentbrugge, Sint-Amandsberg and Zwijnaarde, among others, have brought about many changes. While cyclists and pedestrians now have more space in certain streets, motorists feel disadvantaged. The creation of low-traffic zones means that motorists have to take longer detours, which leads to more traffic on the permitted routes. A large proportion of the residents who are against the plans emphasise that the plans do not work as intended in practice. They would rather see the city be more flexible and open to adjustments.
emotional
Mobility has long been an emotionally charged issue in Ghent. Residents feel directly involved because it affects them on a daily basis. It is therefore no surprise that mobility policy has become a central topic in the run-up to the elections. Mathias De Clercq of Open VLD leads the current coalition, which consists of Open VLD, Groen, Vooruit and CD&V. Groen in particular, represented by aldermen Filip Watteeuw and Hafsa El-Bazioui, has been strongly committed to a more sustainable mobility policy over the past decade, but this course is not without controversy.
Opponents accuse the city government of not consulting residents enough during the rollout of the plans. “It is as if Ghent is being pushed in one direction without listening to the residents’ objections,” says an angry local resident from Zwijnaarde. He emphasizes that dangerous situations have arisen because some motorists choose other, less safe routes to reach their destination faster. “It now takes twice as long to drive to work, and the new routes do not feel safe at all.” Such voices are becoming increasingly louder and are forcing the city government to reconsider some of the plans.
In addition to the mobility plans, investments are also being made in improved cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. Many Ghent residents see these developments as a positive step towards a modern city that is prepared for the future. On the other hand, there are sub-municipalities where planned projects have been postponed, which some see as a sign of weak planning or political pressure.
However, there are also many proponents who point out that the changes are necessary for a more sustainable future. We cannot remain stuck in a car-dependent society. The measures that were taken are aimed at improving the long-term liveability of the city. We often have to accept the short-term inconveniences in order to enjoy a greener, safer city in the long term.
discussion
The discussion about mobility comes at a politically sensitive time. In Ghent too, the elections are approaching, and in addition to mobility, affordable housing and whether or not to govern with or without Groen are central to the political debates. The current coalition has made significant progress, such as the Flemish government's commitment to invest 800 million euros in the tunneling of major traffic junctions and new tram lines. The relocation of the city ring and the construction of the Verapaz bridge are some of the major projects currently in progress.
It is clear that the future of mobility policy in Ghent remains a major point of discussion, both among residents and in the political arena. Whether the current coalition can maintain its course depends partly on how well it can respond to the concerns of citizens. Mathias De Clercq and his team will have to demonstrate in the run-up to the elections that they not only have an eye for the long term, but also listen to the short-term problems that residents face on a daily basis. Flexibility and openness to adjustments seem essential to remove the discontent.
When will there be an alternative for the crumbling bridge on the E17 in Gentbrugge?
The political arena in Ghent is preparing for an exciting battle, in which mayor Mathias De Clercq clearly expresses his ambition to secure a second term. He heads the list Voor Gent, a new political movement that is a collaboration between liberals, socialists and independents. This formation, which does not want to be a classic cartel but a real political movement, aims to become the largest party in Ghent and thus surpass Groen, the current strong player in the Ghent political landscape. The movement will also sit as a single faction in the municipal council.
For the socialists, Astrid De Bruycker, a prominent figure within Vooruit, is the leader of the list. A remarkable return to Ghent politics is that of Freya Van den Bossche, former minister and a well-known name within the socialist party. With these strong names, Voor Gent wants to offer a powerful alternative to the current coalition, in which Groen plays a dominant role.
possible coalitions
Although De Clercq himself remains cautious in his statements about possible coalitions after the elections, his intentions seem clear. If he succeeds in his plan, he could sideline Groen and look for support from parties such as N-VA and/or CD&V. Nevertheless, De Clercq emphasizes that the content comes first: “For us, only one thing counts and that is the content. Which story is the best for our city and with whom can we write it? Ghent is a progressive city and it must absolutely remain that way.”
The chance that Groen will become bigger than Voor Gent is considered small by many, but it is not non-existent. Groen, with aldermen Filip Watteeuw and Hafsa El-Bazioui at the helm, has proven in the past to have a strong following in Ghent. Their green and progressive policy, with a focus on sustainability and mobility, has attracted a lot of support, but also considerable resistance from parts of the population. This division makes the outcome of the elections uncertain.
Another striking newcomer to the Ghent political landscape is Fouad Ahidar with his list FouadAhidar&TeamGent. Ahidar, a politician who previously managed to win a few seats from nothing in the Flemish and Brussels elections, has now set his sights on Ghent. The list in Ghent is headed by Sidi El Omari, a well-known figure in the city. El Omari was once voted the Strafste Gentenaar and is active in various non-profit organisations, which could give him broad support among the Ghent population. Winning a seat does not seem to be an impossible task for this new party and could well be one of the surprises of the elections.
compulsory voting
However, it is difficult to predict whether these new parties and movements will actually get enough votes to win a seat. The abolition of compulsory voting makes the outcome of the elections even more uncertain. It is unclear what impact voluntary turnout will have on voting behavior in Ghent. This change may cause some new parties to struggle to reach the electoral threshold, while others may surprise with a higher turnout among their target group.