Leuven Climate Neutral by 2050

Leuven is a city with more than 100,000 inhabitants and one of the oldest universities in Europe. “The city is growing year by year, and that challenges us in terms of mobility,” says David Dessers, alderman for mobility, climate, and sustainability. To drive the mobility revolution, Leuven has created a grand vision: Climate neutrality by 2050. To realize the vision, the city founded a non-profit organization (NGO) called Leuven 2030. Involving 600 participants – city residents, businesses, scientific institutions, and public authorities – Leuven 2030 developed a roadmap that sets the direction for change. The sustainable transport transition is one of the most important building blocks of the roadmap agenda. By 2030, the number of cyclists and public transport users must double, and car traffic must be reduced by 20%. The other measures are the introduction of low-traffic city spaces; neighborhoods, and school environments; safe and comfortable bicycle infrastructure; strong public transportation networks; strict parking policies; establishment of inner-city Low Emission Zones. “Innovation for better changes and for everyone” is thus not just a motto in Leuven, but a big vision that makes the transport transition in the city real.