A technologically evolving vehicle fleet, increasing shared mobility, further densification of cities because of the large housing challenge and an emission-free vehicle fleet. There were the premises of a research project on the spatial integration of five ring roads, ie. those of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht explored in the design study 'Highway x City - more liveability and space'. In this project, seven multidisciplinary teams of architects, urban planners, landscape architects, traffic experts, spatial economists, planners and other disciplines examined the 'design language' of such assignments. They looked at the current situation and future scenarios for the ring roads and the use of space around them under the guidance of academics and stakeholders. The results, a wide range of surprising solutions for the motorway and its surroundings, not only show what a designing look can do, but also offer concrete handles for the stakeholders: they can start tomorrow to take the first steps. This research into the motorway and city resulted in a series of seminars at TUDelft and a publication with a wide range of surprising design solutions and concrete handles for stakeholders.
Researcher(s): Maarten Van Acker
Commissioned by: BNA
Period: 2017-2018
Partner(s): TUDelft
