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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.🧵

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.

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.

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.