Solutions

Ringland (Antwerp)

HomeRingland (Antwerp)

Ringland

Type of solution: Spatial planning
Node example: Antwerp

A practice in which different scale and governance levels come together is ‘Ringland’ Antwerp. The city of Antwerp (522,000 inhabitants) is also an urban node at the TEN-T network and is confronted with important and increasing road transport, linked to this function. In order to deal with this increase, the initial idea was to complete the ring with new and classical road infrastructure. Even though all environmental impact assessments procedures were followed, the projects became legally and politically blocked due to important and well organized citizens’ protest. A solution was found through the appointment of an independent expert (the ‘intendant’) who managed to bring parties together and devise solutions. The new projects link the infrastructure needs with spatial planning opportunities with important gains for the quality of life of the inhabitants. Major parts of the ring road will be covered, hereby overcoming the barrier effect of the highway, linking neighborhoods, green areas and creating opportunities for last mile delivery hubs. Important investments in multimodality and separating long and short distance traffic will reduce the overall traffic intensity. Through research by design, exploring land value capturing and multi-level governance the new approach is found to have benefits for the city, the region and its residents.

Impact Overview

Impact criteria / Questions / Answer
Questions
Answer
A Accessibility
Q:The solution impacts the chosen modality of the flows
A:1
Q:The solution impacts the route of the flows
A:2
Q:The solution impacts the volume of the flows
A:2
Q:The solution impacts the timing of the flows
A:2
Q:The solution impacts the available infrastructure capacity
A:2
B Safety
Q:The solution impacts the number of pedestrian casualties
A:1
Q:The solution impacts the number of cyclist casualties
A:1
Q:The solution impacts the number of motorised vehicle casualties
A:1
Q:The solution impacts the external safety of dangerous goods transport
A:0
Q:The solution impacts the external safety of warehousing operations
A:0
C Economy
Q:The solution impacts the attractivity of the local scale (city) of the Node for investments (value capturing)
A:2
Q:The solution impacts the attractivity of the FUA from logisctics perspective of the Node for investments (value capturing)
A:2
Q:The solution impacts the price of living in urban areas (socio economic)
A:1
Q:The solution impacts synergies with other sectors
A:2
Q:The solution impacts the GDP
A:2
D Vitality
Q:The solution impacts the air quality
A:2
Q:The solution impacts the visual quality of the environment
A:2
Q:The solution impacts the level of noise pollution
A:2
Q:The solution impacts the ease of moving in the city for citizens
A:2
Q:The solution impacts the quality of living
A:2
E Connectivity
Q:The solution impacts the connection between the city and the functional urban area from a mobility perspective
A:2
Q:The solution impacts the connection between the city and the functional area from a logistics perspective
A:2
Q:The solution impacts the connection with other Nodes on the Corridor
A:1
Q:The solution impacts the connection with other TEN-T Corridors
A:0
Q:The solution impacts the connection with the comprehensive network
A:1