In 2084, Ghent will become completely car-free with a ring of parking towers outside the city. Tram networks
make way for an underground metro system. Solar panel streets supply the city with
green energy. Auxiliary drones assist with deliveries and personal transportation. Former squares
such as St. Peter's Square turn into large lakes and parking lots at large chains
shared gardens. This creates a green, sustainable and inclusive living environment for all
Ghent residents who promote public health.
But… what does that look like?
Parking towers
In the future vision for Ghent in 2084, parking towers along the city ring play a crucial role in city planning. Cars from all over the country can reach the city via exits from the highways that go directly into the parking towers. There are parking towers spread across the ring road to accommodate the crowds at peak times. Those towers will consist of 5 underground and 10 above-ground levels, each designed with several charging stations and sufficient space for vehicles. These parking towers serve as gateways to the underground metro network that crosses the city and ensures smooth connections. Extensive bicycle sheds will be provided next to the parking towers to encourage the use of bicycles for short distances. The city is thus transformed into a car-free city where mobility is efficient, practical and environmentally friendly for all residents and visitors of Ghent.
Transportation
- Walking and cycling paths made of solar panels
The traditional infrastructure for cars and buses has completely disappeared, replaced by an innovative network of walking and cycling paths. They are roads made of solar panels that serve both as a road surface and as a means of generating sustainable energy.
Moreover, this infrastructure encourages a more active lifestyle among Ghent residents. Cycling and walking is the message. The city has paid significant attention to accessibility, making these trails suitable for all ages and mobility levels. - Underground metro (hyperloop)
In 2084, Ghent is progressive with a hyperloop-based underground metro network
(technology designed by Elon Musk). The current tram stops serve as entrances to the metro. With hyperloop technology, residents and visitors of Ghent can travel through the city at lightning speed, at speeds of up to 1,200 km/h. This not only offers an efficient means of transport, but also reduces overload and the impact on the environment. The metro stations are designed with safety and accessibility in mind, making it easy for everyone to use public transport.
- Major metro stations as a central point
There will also be an underground metro network. In addition to the existing boarding points in the streets, large metro stations are being built at the locations of the former Sint-Pieters station and Ghent South. These stations serve as central hubs where all metro lines converge and transfers are possible. This efficient system promotes mobility and makes traveling within the city quick and easy. - Streetcars
The urban transport system is undergoing a revolutionary transformation. The tram network will be completely removed and replaced by an extensive metro network, which runs underground through the city. Former tram stops now serve as entrances to this metro network, allowing people to get on and off easily and move around the city efficiently. The vacated tram tracks are transformed into linear cycle paths, which ensure smooth and safe transport for cyclists throughout the city. This visionary plan promotes sustainable mobility and offers a seamless and environmentally friendly way of traveling for all residents and visitors of Ghent.
Auxiliary drones
We also compensate for the benefits of the car network through innovative solutions, with drones as an essential part of daily life. These drones will serve as efficient delivery services for supermarkets and retail chains, transporting deliveries from point A to point B quickly and accurately. They fly high above the city, so that they do not cause any nuisance in the city itself. In addition, drones will serve as portable assistants, allowing people with physical limitations to carry heavy groceries, for example. Special “drone wheelchairs” are being developed for people with mobility problems, which transport them to their destination. To charge the drones, they all get their own solar panel.
Solar panel streets
In the city plan for Ghent 2084 we introduce 'solar panel streets' – an innovative concept
where all roads consist of solar panels.
These panels will generate energy for below
other drone charging points, electricity supply for companies and street lighting. The panels
will not only serve as a sustainable energy source, but also as safe and strong surfaces
on which people can walk and cycle freely without causing damage to the solar panels.
Nature reserve / recreational area for social gatherings
Large squares and parking lots in Ghent are turning into green nature reserves
water landscapes. Well-known squares such as the Vrijdagsmarkt and Woodrow Wilsonplein
lush parks and playgrounds, with extensive green spaces and space for outdoor recreation and social activities. Rivers and canals retain their original course and are enhanced as wetlands, with St. Peter's Square as an example, which is transformed into an impressive lake. For social events and festivities, a platform is being developed that can 'slide' over and above the water surface, creating unique opportunities for dancing and celebrating occasions in the midst of a natural environment. This progressive approach to urban development promotes nature conservation and social interaction, allowing Ghent to evolve into a dynamic and balanced living environment for its residents.
Garages and parking spaces in Ghent
All garages, both private and public, in Ghent will become versatile spaces, such as allotments where residents can grow vegetables and herbs together, small parks, or rooms for students. The public garages will be transformed into meeting places and small parks. They can also be converted into practical living space for students, with modern facilities and a social atmosphere. This will encourage sustainability, strengthen the community and optimize the use of available space.
Practical realization
We create a future in which practical and technical challenges are transformed into
innovative solutions for a better and greener Ghent. That's why we focus on a strong and
well-thought-out approach to overcome all difficulties.
We take safety into account by investing in strong security measures. This
includes not only physical security, but also cybersecurity. We make sure this
technologies are resistant to possible threats and abuse. This is how we ensure that our
emergency drones are always at our disposal. We want to go into the future with a safe feeling.
We want to strive for a livable and sustainable society. We aim for a lot of renewable energy
energy through, for example, solar panel streets. Through innovation, collaboration and conscious choices
we can pave the way to a world in which all these technological gadgets are integrated and
contribute to a more sustainable future for Ghent.