Network Strategy 2040 Prepares the City for the Future
The Hague is growing. By 2040, the city will have 100,000 more residents, 50,000 new homes, and 48,000 new jobs. This requires 7% more space, which is not available. This means more people on the move, increasing pressure on roads, bike paths, and public transport. To keep the city livable and accessible, Alderman Arjen Kapteijns (Mobility) presents the Network Strategy 2040: a plan for a livable and accessible city.
The Network Strategy 2040 directly aligns with The Hagues Spatial Vision, which outlines how space is distributed among living, working, and mobility, while the Network Strategy focuses on how traffic and transport align with this.
Investing in an Accessible City
The Hague aims for a city where amenities like shops, schools, and healthcare are easily accessible by foot, public transport, or bicycle. To achieve this, significant investments will be made in wider bike paths, faster and better public transport, and smart mobility hubs. This allows residents to choose how they move around.
“The Hague has limited space and is growing rapidly. Therefore, we make conscious choices to keep the city accessible and livable,” says Alderman Kapteijns. “We work at a pace that the city can handle and that is necessary. This is not a small adjustment, but a big step forward towards a future where it is pleasant to live, stay, and move.”
What Will Change?
To accommodate the citys growth without occupying additional public space, various measures will be taken. Pedestrians will have more safe walking routes, lower speeds (30 km/h will become the norm), and better connections to stations and shops. Cyclists will benefit from wider bike paths, a comfortable and fast cycling ring around the city center, and additional parking at busy locations such as shopping areas and public transport hubs. This is necessary as the number of cyclists on busy routes like Laan van NOI is expected to increase from 7,000 to 20,000 per day, and in some places even to 35,000.
Public transport will become faster and more reliable with higher frequencies and better transfer options at stations like Laan van NOI and Moerwijk. The Kings Corridor and Southwest Corridor will be further developed, and the Old Line will see a frequency increase, allowing commuters to take the train more often.
The car remains important for longer distances, but within the city, cyclists and pedestrians will have more space. Main roads will also be improved to keep the city accessible despite the growth. Parking will occur more often in garages or on the outskirts of the city, making streets safer and more livable.
What Will This Achieve?
Less car traffic in residential areas means less congestion, cleaner air, and more space for greenery. Within built-up areas, 30 km/h will become the standard, which is expected to reduce 300 to 400 injury accidents per year.
The planned measures will reduce car and truck traffic by 4%. Combined with electrification and the zero-emission zone for freight and delivery traffic, this will lead to a significant reduction in emissions. Additionally, the adapted traffic measures and an improved public transport network will enhance the accessibility of important locations such as hospitals, shopping areas, and businesses.
How Will We Do This?
By 2028, more roads will be adapted to 30 km/h, additional bike paths will be constructed, and public transport will be improved. Between 2028 and 2035, new grade-separated intersections and mobility hubs will be built, and shared mobility will be further developed. After 2035, we will continue to invest in better public transport connections and innovative transport solutions, such as smart traffic systems.