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Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
@modacitylife.com

In 2016, Leuven made a bold decision: instead of trying to accommodate ever-increasing car traffic, it would change the rules of the road entirely. A decade later, the Dutch-inspired traffic circulation plan has drastically improved the city’s accessibility, liveability and quality of public space.🧵

54 reposts227 likes

Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
@modacitylife.com

The city was divided into five sectors and a pedestrian zone. Drivers could reach destinations, but moving between neighbouring zones was prohibited. Instead, they had to return to the ring road to reach another sector. Cyclists and buses meanwhile, retained the freedom to travel through the centre.

Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
@modacitylife.com

The idea was simple but radical: remove unnecessary through traffic, not access to the city itself. By filtering certain streets and changing direction on others, Leuven made it harder to use the centre as a shortcut. In doing so, it created more space for walking, cycling, shopping and socialising.

Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
@modacitylife.com

Like many attempts to reclaim streets, the scheme wasn't universally embraced; provoking opposition from critics concerned about congestion, convenience and economic impact. The concept of changing familiar routes proved controversial, and officials had to defend their differing vision for mobility.

Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
@modacitylife.com

Leuven held its course, and the results provided a powerful riposte. From 2016 to 2019, cycling grew 44%, bus usage 18%, while car traffic dropped 19%. The total number of visitors remained stable, proving that curbing traffic hadn't reduced access. Instead, people chose different ways to get there.

Flaco in TX
@flacotx.bsky.social

This idea sounds precisely the same as what Groningen (NL) implemented. It is a great experience to walk around those compact and pedestrian friendly cities.

Zonderpaard
@zonderpaard.bsky.social

Visited Leuven in spring 2026, had not been there since 1999. The change to Bondgenotenlaan was extraordinary. Busy, but quiet thanks to the new traffic pattern. Lots of buses and flotillas of bikes. Very few cars or motos. Could have a conversation on the sidewalk. 😎

Philip Machanick 🇿🇦
@philip-mach.bsky.social

Creating high-throughput areas for cars simply moves the chokepoint elsewhere. Doing it this way creates incentives not to use a car. Even those who still want to use a car run into less traffic. Win-win.