Traffic-calmed neighbourhood concepts for Hanover

Our approach  

The project combined urban design with transport planning in four stages:  

1. Benchmarking successful traffic-calmed neighbourhoods across Europe, including Groningen and Barcelona; 
2. Developing a practical toolbox of traffic-calming and street-design measures; 
3. Analysing existing mobility patterns, traffic circulation and public space in Hanover; 
4. Designing integrated mobility concepts for five pilot neighbourhoods. 

The concepts were based on the STOMP principle (prioritising walking, cycling, public transport and shared mobility), combined with traffic circulation, parking strategies, public-space improvements, indicative cost estimates, and recommendations for communication and stakeholder participation. 

From vision to evidence-based neighbourhood concepts  

Goudappel provided the transport engineering and analytical foundation for the project by  

systematically assessing how circulation measures would affect accessibility and traffic flows within and around the neighbourhoods. Our quick-scan transport modelling enables the City to compare different scenarios and understand their impact on accessibility and traffic flows before implementation. 

Rather than delivering a high-level vision, we translated strategic ambitions into technically feasible and evidence-based mobility concepts. These included neighbourhood concepts, traffic-engineering designs, visualisations and indicative cost estimates. This way, we helped bridge the gap between policy ambition and implementable solutions.

Results: mobility concepts for five neighbourhoods 

The project delivered tailored mobility concepts for five model neighbourhoods in Hanover: 

• Kronenstraße; 
• Boni-Quartier; 
• Seilerstraße; 
• Uni-Viertel; 
• Lindener Marktplatz.  

For each neighbourhood, integrated packages of measures were developed to reduce motorised traffic, reorganise public space and improve liveability. The final deliverables included neighbourhood mobility concepts, traffic concepts, quick-scan analyses, detailed plans, visualisations and indicative implementation costs.

The result is not simply a strategic vision, but a practical roadmap for the phased transformation of existing urban neighbourhoods. 

Lessons for other cities 

The Hanover project demonstrates that traffic-calmed neighbourhoods require more than isolated traffic measures. Success depends on integrating mobility, urban design, climate adaptation and public-space quality from the very beginning.  

Equally important is the integration of transport modelling and spatial design. It is precisely the combination of traffic analysis, systems thinking and spatial design that creates neighbourhood concepts that are both convincing for decision-makers and practical to implement. Moreover, testing measures step by step allows stakeholders to experience the benefits first-hand, address concerns and build public support.  

By combining Dutch mobility expertise with the local knowledge of German partners, the project demonstrates how international collaboration leads to solutions that are both evidence-based and locally relevant.  

Client: City of Hanover (Landeshauptstadt Hannover) 

Period: 2023–2025 

Partners: fair spaces, CITIES FOR THE FUTURE