Ghent, Belgium

General description

The city of Ghent is situated in the Flanders region, north west of Belgium, and has approximately 270.000 inhabitants and an area of 158 km². Ghent is featured as a human-scale city, as well as a ‘pocket-sized metropolis’ - meaning that one can cycle from one side of town to the other in half an hour. 

Known as the student capital in Flanders, it offers an open, creative atmosphere and vibrant cultural scene; where accessibility and connection are core values. 

Ghent has been titled the “veggie capital of Belgium” because the city has more vegetarian restaurants compared to other metropolises like Paris or London. Additionally, it was Europe’s first car-sharing city.

 

mobility goals

Ghent key mobility-related goals aim to focus on creating a more accessible, safer and climate-friendly city.

The city plans to do so by first, guaranteeing selective accessibility; creating low-emission zones in pedestrian-friendly areas, secondly, improve traffic safety and increase livability for all road users—while also creating urban spaces that prioritise quality of life, reducing pollution and noise. Ghent is also committed to becoming climate-neutral by 2050,  through the promotion of sustainable transport options and energy-efficient vehicles.

Ghent aims to ensure sustainable mobility plans will be used to fuel green jobs, tourism and attracting businesses focused on innovation and sustainability. As part of creating a more inclusive city, there is a strong focus on becoming a child-friendly city by improving transportation safety and accessibility for children, as well as addressing transport poverty to ensure that all residents, regardless of income, have access to affordable mobility options. Lastly, the city plans to work co-creatively with citizens and stakeholders to develop and implement a sustainable mobility policy, building on the foundations laid in the 2015 Mobility Plan to ensure that the needs and desires of the community are reflected in the city's transportation policies.

Population 

  •  270.000

Area (km2)

  •   158 

modal split (2021)

  • Private vehicle - 38%
  • Public transport - 11.2%
  • Walking - 15.6%
  • Cycling - 33.8%

challenges:

  • Encouraging more sustainable modes of transport

  • Improve traffic congestion 

  • Ensure mobility in the city is accessible, boosting liveability

European Union

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under grant agreement No. 101103924. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

CIVITAS
Mission Cities

REALLOCATE is a project under the CIVITAS Initiative, an EU-funded programme working to make sustainable and smart mobility a reality for all, and contributes to the goals of the EU Mission Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities.