The Circulation Plan
Ghent’s Circulation Plan was implemented in 2017 and aims at banning through traffic from the city centre.
What is the Circulation Plan of Ghent?
When traffic counters revealed that nearly 40% of motorised traffic in the city centre of Ghent consisted of through traffic, the city decided to take action. With the implementation of an ambitious circulation plan in 2017 that prevents through traffic from entering the city centre, Ghent reclaimed public spaces for its residents, resulting in a more accessible, liveable and safer urban environment.
The city centre was divided into six sections surrounding the restricted traffic area, which was expanded by 128% overnight. Travelling by car from one zone to another became impossible without using the inner ring road, thus preventing through-traffic by non-residents and discouraging short drives in favour of cycling and walking in the now low car-traffic urban environment. Most notably, although the planning took several years, the circulation plan was implemented over a single weekend: Traffic flow in approximately 80 streets changed, more than 2500 road signs were either removed or newly installed, and 14 locations in the city centre were permanently closed off to most motorised traffic. The positive impact of the circulation plan, in combination with other measures in favour of cyclists and pedesterians, was very clear:
- fewer accidents
- improved air quality
- decreased noise levels
- reduction of traffic jams
- a significant rise in cycling
Digital map of the Circulation Plan
This digital map provides you with the different sections of the City, parkings, park-and-rides and much more. It also shows bike routes and public transportation.