Utrecht builds new car-free district
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In Utrecht, Netherlands, city planners began constructing the Merwede district with the intention of minimizing car use. Residents will be able to own cars, but they will not be allowed to park them within the district itself, instead utilizing parking garages on the periphery.
The city of Utrecht was ranked number one globally for bicycle infrastructure in 2022, and 94% of its residents owned at least one bicycle as of 2021.
Construction on the 6,000-home district began in an area between the Merwede canal and Transwijk park, with over 2,700 homes under construction by late 2025. The project includes 21,500 bicycle parking spaces and plans for 250 shared cars, along with logistics centers for package delivery. Utrecht is also modifying existing roads to discourage car traffic, closing a section of Europalaan to cars and reserving it for cyclists and pedestrians.
A dedicated mobility company, Mobiliteitsbedrijf, will manage parking, bike storage, car-sharing services, and package delivery to address logistical challenges. The first residents are expected to move in starting in 2027, and the city will then assess the success of the car-free approach by observing whether residents can easily meet their transportation needs without relying on personal vehicles.
