Ghent Circulation Plan — Six Sectors, No Car Transit, Rolled Out in One Weekend

Traffic counts showed that nearly 40% of motorised traffic in Ghent's city centre was through traffic. In April 2017 the city implemented a circulation plan that divides the centre into six districts: drivers cannot cross from one to another and must use the inner ring road, while the restricted-traffic area was enlarged by 128%. Around 80 streets changed direction and licence-plate cameras support enforcement; the change was made over a single weekend.
The plan supports a 2030 modal-split target (car from 55% in 2012 to 27%, cycling from 22% to 30%, public transport from 9% to 20%).
Two evaluations by Transport & Mobility Leuven (2017-2020) concluded that the plan achieved its objectives: accessibility improved for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport, bicycle use grew strongly, car use fell, and safety and air quality improved in the centre. A majority of residents viewed the plan positively and polarisation eased between the two evaluation rounds.
Caution: evaluators flagged problem areas (Dampoort, Drongensesteenweg), the need for better signage and communication, and further work on car alternatives; detailed figures are mainly in Dutch reports.

Read the full analysis: https://stad.gent/en/mobility-ghent/circulation-plan