The city of Antwerp has drawn up its first specific ‘pedestrian program’. The program aims to increase the number of journeys made on foot.
The program is an important part of the desired ‘modal shift’, in which journeys by private car are replaced as much as possible by more sustainable alternatives.
Because “if we make room for pedestrians, there will be more space for meeting and relaxation.”
Everyone is at least a bit of a pedestrian
The plan builds on existing initiatives, such as the 780 kilometers of slow roads and the expansion of residential areas (plus 24, accounting for a total of 44 km). It is structured around three pillars: making more space for pedestrians, utilizing collaboration with other stakeholders and data on travel behavior, and campaigns to encourage pedestrians to walk more/further.
The program is based on the vision that walking contributes to the local economy, social cohesion, and public health. The city, which wants half of all journeys to be sustainable by 2030, considers everyone to be at least a bit of a pedestrian, given the journeys to and from the use of all modes of transport. It therefore does not focus on a limited target group.
3,6% of residents walk to work
Data from ‘City in Figures’ from 2024 show that 3,6% of Antwerp residents walk to work, 9,7% walk to school, and 3% walk during their free time. By comparison, in the Brussels-Capital Region, residents make approximately 36% of all journeys on foot.
In addition, 30% of Antwerp’s population lives less than a 15-minute walk from a train station. 87% live less than a 10-minute walk from basic amenities such as a bakery, butcher, supermarket, or post office. And no less than 84% of Antwerp residents live less than a 5-minute walk from a park, urban forest, or green playground.
‘Silver ribbons’
The city’s ambitions include tackling missing links in the pedestrian network, investigating diagonal crossings (‘square green’), and creating comfortable and accessible infrastructure, including additional benches, shaded areas, and drinking fountains.
There will also be ‘silver ribbons’, short, safe routes that are optimally adapted to the movement of senior citizens. In addition, there will be awareness campaigns on courtesy in traffic, with special attention to enforcing rules against the use of bicycles and scooters on the sidewalk.
The city will also appoint a program manager for pedestrians, precisely to facilitate coordination between the various services and districts.
“With this pedestrian program, we are taking an important step toward making Antwerp even more comfortable and safer for everyone who travels on foot,” says Alderman for Mobility Koen Kennis (N-VA). “Walking is not only healthy, it allows us to experience the city differently. Through targeted actions and cooperation, we are ensuring that Antwerp becomes an even more pleasant city to walk in, where short journeys are naturally made on foot.”
