2024-05-04T16:04:15-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150180116/this-dutch-urban-plan-is-completely-car-free Sean Joyner 2020-01-23T08:40:00-05:00 >2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/44/448917f9d579e7b08dd56c188ec0543d.png?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>As part of an ambition to transform Merwede in southwest Utrecht, an urban plan design, led by Marco.Broekman has been underway since 2016 with a definitive design endeavor under development this year. Simply called&nbsp;<em>Merwede,</em> the new neighborhood includes 6,000 dwellings, high-quality public spaces dressed in greenery, courtyards, and habitable rooftops. Designed as a car-free community, pedestrians and cyclist are prioritized. According to the design firm's website, Merwede's mission can be summarized in five themes:</p> <ul><li>Mobile Merwede: Allowing residents of Merwede to move freely without their own car.</li><li>Healthy and sustainable: Designing Merwede to contribute to a healthy planet with healthy people.</li><li>Lively city district: Offering Merwede the liveliness and amenities of the city.</li><li>Green domain: Creating a Merwede that combines highly urban, green and relaxation at the same time.</li><li>Coulisse city: Merwede is a highly urbanized neighbourhood with respect for the human scale.</li></ul><figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/b4/b4d78a7015084824e6bf3aa60c6165d2.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/b4/b4d78a7015084824e6bf3aa60c6165d2.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=514"></a></p></figure><p>Containing over 200 bui...</p>