Filip Watteeuw is the visionary behind Ghent’s bold mobility transformation, leading efforts to reduce car dependency, expand cycling infrastructure, and reclaim public space for people. His traffic circulation plan, despite initial resistance, has turned Ghent into a model city for sustainable urban mobility, proving that fewer cars mean safer, more vibrant streets.
»What is important is experimenting… People have to experience, people have to feel. If you present mobility changes with graphics and declarations of 75 pages, they won’t buy it. But when they live it—when they see streets become livable, when they sit on benches, when they meet their neighbors—that’s when the mindset changes.«
Summary
Filip Watteeuw, Deputy Mayor of Ghent, is a driving force behind the city’s mobility transformation, emphasizing that change must be experienced, not just explained. He highlights the importance of experimenting with traffic restrictions, such as Ghent’s Living Streets project, where residents temporarily redesigned their streets without cars, leading to a shift in public perception. Initially, resistance was strong, especially from business owners and car-dependent citizens, but once people saw the benefits—safer streets, less noise, and stronger communities—many opponents became supporters. Watteeuw stresses that political courage is crucial, as mobility reforms often face backlash. He firmly believes that cities should prioritize people over cars, focusing on public space, cycling infrastructure, and sustainable urban planning to create more livable cities.
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