Spatial planning

Mobility as an opportunity for successful urban growth

Urban densification offers a unique opportunity to accelerate a transition towards active mobility (such as walking and cycling), public transport, and shared mobility. Investing in these sustainable modes of transport has a multiplier effect: it enhances liveability, improves social inclusivity, supports sustainability goals, and uses urban space more efficiently. Imagine neighbourhoods where people have more space to walk, meet and spend time, supported by safe streets and seamless access to public transport and shared mobility. 

Mobility solutions for spatial planning should therefore always be designed at multiple purposes at once. Whether it is shaping a parking strategy or optimising a public transport network – we strive for solutions that create a more sustainable, healthier and safer living environment for everyone with space for housing, public space, and green areas. 

Integrated approach

Our integrated approaches, such as our smart mobility wheel and area-based mobility planning, ensure that measures gain broader societal support. Even with stakeholders who are further removed from the mobility issue - and often attract co-financing opportunities.

Working together on shared ambitions

To create positive energy to act together, our consultants start by engaging with clients and stakeholders to identify different interests and ambitions. We then look for commonality in these interests, creating a common ground for joint perspective. Thanks to our extensive international network of local partners, we ensure that our way of working is always tailored to the specific situation and the needs of communities involved. All to create solutions that are both internationally innovative and locally relevant. 

Asking the right questions for a complete picture

We look beyond the surface of mobility problems and work from the bigger picture. To answer questions, we also delve into data. What is the real cause of a mobility issue, for example congestion? Which groups are most affected? Is there perhaps through traffic that you would prefer to limit? This enables us to advise not only on immediate solutions, but also on measures that fit long-term urban and regional mobility goals.

Data-driven: demonstrating the positive impact of mobility

Shifting mobility patterns is a long-term endeavour that requires vision supported by evidence. Depending on the local context and available data, we use transport modelling to quantify the effect of spatial plans. We can even create transport models in our own modelling software OmniTRANS Powered by Bentley OpenPaths.

Our accessibility analyses ensure that benefits are shared by all residents, while scenario testing shows how new houses, hubs, or parking policies will impact travel behaviour, traffic loads, safety, urban economy and liveability. This way, we help you choose the best-fitting measures. If needed, we help you to embed measures for spatial planning in formal documents such as mobility concepts, visions, policy papers, or project briefings for property developers.

Trusted expertise from the Netherlands, tailored to your context

Our work builds on decades of experience in the Netherlands. Driven by high population density, we became a global frontrunner in sustainable mobility and smart spatial planning. As the Netherlands’ first mobility consultancy, Goudappel has played a key role in shaping these approaches. Our Dutch portfolio includes large-scale urban growth strategies such as Utrecht's Merwedekanaalzone or Amsterdam's Hamerkwartier, as well as solutions for smaller towns such as Tilburg and Gouda.

Over the years, we have played a key role in the planning of Dutch cities like Utrecht, Houten, and Almere, globally admired for their high-quality cycling infrastructure, sustainable urban design, and innovative planning approaches. Internationally, we have contributed to mobility plans for Flemish cities including Ghent and Antwerp, the Turkish city of Düzce, and mobility strategies in the Ruhr area and Hanover, Germany.

We understand that each type of urban area requires a tailored approach. That is why we combine our in-house expertise with the knowledge of local partners. With local ‘boots on the ground,’ we ensure that our advice is always context-specific and feasible. By engaging with all relevant stakeholders, we build broad support for plans.