This graduation project investigates how spatial design for sustainable mobility can enhance liveability and accessibility in post-war neighbourhoods, using Hoge Vucht in Breda as a case study. In the context of climate change, urban densification, and the transition towards more sustainable cities, mobility plays a key role in shaping liveable neighbourhoods. Post-war areas in particular are dominated by car-oriented structures, reflecting the era in which they were built. This car-dependency creates a vicious cycle, causing air pollution, is not human-centred and takes up a lot of the land use in the city.

Two frameworks were developed to assess liveability, consisting of safety, spatial quality, health, community and accessibility, and a separate framework that zooms in further on accessibility, consisting of proximity, mobility, time and inclusiveness. These frameworks provide a structured lens to evaluate the spatial impact of design interventions.

A research-by-design approach was used with the case study area Hoge Vucht. Four scenarios are maximised, each emphasising one mobility type and one value of liveability or accessibility. These scenarios are assessed using the frameworks and combined into a single final design.

Key findings indicate that sustainable mobility and liveability reinforce one another: reduced car dominance creates space for play, social interaction, and nature. Reducing private car use does not automatically improve accessibility, but carefully designed sustainable mobility options help maintain and even enhance it. Improved proximity and high-quality walking and cycling paths ensure accessibility within the neighbourhood, while a well-connected cycling network, frequent and fast public transport, and a wide range of shared mobility ensure accessibility for longer distances. This transition requires time to change both public spaces and people’s travel behaviour. Starting with small-scale implementations and followed by larger infrastructure changes, a transition can be made from functional, car-dominant streets to valuable public spaces.

The emission of CO2 is a significant contributor to global warming, with the mobility sector being a major source. The EU has set a goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, requiring substantial CO2 reduction efforts, particularly in densely populated regions like the Rhine-Delta (RDR). This region’s extensive mobility network, serving both urban and global trade needs, generates significant CO2 emissions.
To address this, a research initiative aims to make the Rhine-Delta’s mobility network CO2-neutral by 2050 through reimagining its design and operations. The focus lies on peri-urban areas, where urban and rural landscapes intersect. These areas are essential for economic and social functions but are currently reliant on polluting road transportation.
The research identifies the need to rethink connectivity to peri-urban areas for sustainability. Traditional urban-focused transportation concepts often overlook peri-urban needs. Therefore, the initiative proposes developing context-based mobility nodes tailored to peri-urban requirements. These nodes aim to promote sustainable transportation and enhance network efficiency.
The approach involves creating an interconnected network of such nodes throughout the Rhine-Delta region, addressing the specific needs of lower-density areas like peri-urban zones. By considering local contexts, these nodes can effectively serve peri-urban areas, promoting sustainable transportation practices.
To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, the research zooms in on a representative area within the Rhine-Delta region, focusing on peri-urban patches around Arnhem-Nijmegen. By showcasing how context-based mobility nodes can be implemented in such areas, the research seeks to pave the way for a broader transition towards a CO2-neutral mobility network by 2050.
In conclusion, the research aims to transform the Rhine-Delta’s mobility landscape by making it CO2-neutral through the implementation of sustainable transportation solutions tailored to peri-urban areas. By recognizing and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities presented by peri-urban zones, the initiative seeks to contribute significantly to the EU’s climate neutrality goal by 2050.