The Car-Free City

The Car-Free City network is creating a new narrative and a practical toolbox to help guide car-reduction measures in cities. Many municipalities encounter resistance when implementing sustainable mobility policies, for example around paid parking or reducing parking spaces. The network brings together policymakers, residents, designers and other experts to develop approaches that do not polarise, but instead create connection.

Through dialogue, research and design-led thinking, the network develops strategies that help municipalities shift the focus from car use to liveability and public health. The end products include an accessible public narrative, visual tools and a blueprint for participation — all designed to be used beyond the municipalities directly involved.

The Car-Free City aims to contribute structurally to a new perspective on mobility in urban areas. With support from KIN, the network is being strengthened and expanded, enabling cities to work more effectively with residents on sustainable mobility and high-quality public space.

Update: New Language for Car-Free Cities

As of December 2025, four municipalities have joined De Autoluwe Stad (The Car-Free City): Amersfoort, Haarlem, Nijmegen and Schiedam. All four are G40 municipalities, representing the provinces of Noord-Holland, Utrecht, Gelderland and Zuid-Holland. In addition, three experts have joined the initiative: Jens van de Weele (transition language), Professor Marco te Brömmelstroet and Dr Bianca Harms.

Together with Het Groene Brein, the first expert session has taken place, focusing on themes such as audience, values and narrative. The session also explored how value-based participation leads to a very different type of dialogue.

A second session will address the questions: how can multiple audience-specific stories be brought together into one shared narrative, and what is the impact of visual and imaginative communication?

The outcomes of both sessions will be compiled in a handbook to be published in Q1 2026.