How to Ghentify your city with Filip Watteeuw
Filip Watteeuw is the Deputy Mayor for Mobility, Public Space & Urban Planning in the Belgian city of Ghent. In April 2017, he oversaw the implementation of a new Circulation Plan for the city which has transformed transport and livability in the city. It took two and a half years to plan, one weekend to implement and cost just €5 million yet has had spectacular results. Cycling is up, car ownership and road injuries are down and, despite a lot of nasty and noisy opposition before the scheme went in, public satisfaction is high. Businesses are thriving and Filip’s personal vote share also increased.
In this presentation, given at Camcycle monthly meeting in May 2022, Filip talks in detail about the scheme, how it was implemented and what has been done since 2017. He also answers questions raised by Camcycle supporters on topics including political structure, public transport, disability exemptions and allocating space to different road users.
The meeting also includes a round-up of the latest cycling news and campaigns from Camcycle’s Executive Director, Roxanne De Beaux.
It was originally held on our Facebook channel and is also available to view on YouTube.
The next Camcycle meeting will be held on Tuesday 7 June and is planned to be an in-person catch-up for members, but we are still finalising the details. Please keep an eye on camcycle.org.uk/events for the latest information.
Links to more information
City of Ghent website
stad.gent/en/mobility-ghent/circulation-plan
Streetfilms: The innovative way Ghent, Belgium, removed cars from the city
A short 10-minute film from 2020 featuring Filip and others from Ghent showing what has been achieved by the Circulation Plan.
Camcycle news
Reach Ride makes a triumphant return
A big thank you for helping us raise over £20,000 for Zero Carbon Streets!
Annual election survey
Read candidate responses for elections in Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council and Peterborough City Council to help you ‘vote bike’ on 5 May 2022.
Apply to be Camcycle’s next paid intern
Applications are open for our next internship. It is expected to be an 8-week programme over the summer, but we are flexible to ensure the position is open to candidates from all backgrouunds. The deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 16 May.
Netherhall Farm planning application
Find out more about our campaigning on this issue and view the discussion from the 20 April planning committee.