In the Netherlands, urban experiments on reducing urban traffic and the presence of cars in cities are nothing new, facilitated in part by the country's low elevation gradient and massive bicycle presence. The country is home to more bicycles than people and boasts one of the most impressive networks of bicycle paths in the world, stretching no less than 35,000 kilometers across the country .

Utrecht residents opened this discussion back in 1965, when the city began experimenting with temporarily closing some downtown streets to cars. Recently, the city instead unveiled its latest plans for a completely car-free district. The Merwede neighborhood will be home to 12,000 residents, and all essential facilities, including Utrecht Central Station, will be within walking or cycling distance.

The Merwede canal area was originally an industrial area, but the project will transform the area with 6,000 homes distributed in more than 200 buildings. The motto of the project, according to Marco.Broekman Studio, is “green, unless”: each housing development will have an indoor garden and a new Merwedepark will provide a pedestrian area along the canal. The greenery will also extend to the roofs of the buildings, which will be covered with vegetation and solar panels as part of the neighborhood's commitment to sustainability.

Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands, home to the country's largest university and a major transportation hub. And the city will continue to grow. In fact, the population is expected to increase by 100,000 people to 450,000 by 2040. “Although Utrecht is indeed a bicycle city, car use is still widespread,” says Utrecht alderman Kees Diepeveen during the project presentation. “The new Merwede district is a good starting point to shift from cars to sustainable mobility, focusing on bikes and walking and the concept of sharing instead of private ownership.”