Construction of a new neighborhood is set to begin in Utrecht next week. The neighborhood, called Merwede, is scheduled to be the largest car-free district in the Netherlands, with 6,000 homes. The area will be between the Merwedekanaal and Park Transwijk, in the southwestern part of the city, and will be able to house an estimated 12,000 people.The area consists of 1,800 social rental homes, 1,500 mid-range rental and affordable owner-occupied homes, and 2,700 private sector rental and owner-occupied homes, according to the municipality.
Honest questions. In these neighborhoods are lorries permitted to drive certain areas? Are all deliveries by bicycle wagon or similar? How do tradespeople bring tools/equipment. How is building/remodeling handled in areas that have little to no vehicle access and heavy equipment needs to be used?
I ask because I’ve lived my entire life in car-centric Midwest U.S. I have traveled in Europe but have not lived there, and so the day to day logistics are a mystery to me. Please help me cure my ignorance <3
I think there will still be streets, but they will mostly be used as pedestrian areas except for when needed by construction vehicles, trash collection etc
There are several grocery services that operate light electric Goupil G4 “mini lorries” which are basically the perfect vehicle to use there.
For anything bigger, you need a permit.