The municipality of The Hague is taking an important step toward making the city more attractive to pedestrians. With the “Room for Walking in The Hague” program, the municipal executive aims to provide safe, comfortable, and accessible walking routes for everyone who walks—from children on their way to school to seniors, walkers, and tourists.
The city is growing rapidly. By 2050, The Hague expects an additional 100,000 residents. This requires choices regarding mobility and spatial planning. Walking is not only healthy and sustainable, it also takes up minimal space and contributes to social cohesion, livability, and a strong local economy. Therefore, the municipality is now seriously working to improve walking facilities in all neighborhoods of the city.
Pedestrian on one
Alderman Arjen Kapteijns (Energy Transition, Mobility and Resources) emphasizes the importance of this approach: “Everyone in The Hague is a pedestrian. Space for walking is essential to meet the challenges of urban growth. Moreover, walking is healthy, affordable, and good for the environment. That’s why we’re putting pedestrians first. This approach ensures that The Hague becomes a city where you can walk comfortably and safely, wherever you live or work .”
In the coming years, the municipality will be working on a well-connected network of walking routes in residential areas, between neighborhoods, and at the city level. The goal is for pedestrians to be able to walk easily, safely, and comfortably from home to school, public transport, shops, or the park. To facilitate this, sidewalks will be widened, obstacles will be removed, crosswalks will be improved, and speeds will be reduced to 30 km/h. The municipality will also shorten waiting times at traffic lights and create comfortable routes to public transport stops, with a focus on greenery, lighting, and rest areas along the way.
Promoting walking throughout the city
New pedestrian zones are being developed in shopping areas, the Central Innovation District (CID), the city center, and Scheveningen. Other parts of the city are also undergoing significant changes. Pletterijkade will become a green walking and cycling boulevard. Along the new Velostrada, you can safely walk from The Hague to Leidschendam-Voorburg. Prins Mauritslaan will become a green walking route at the initiative of residents. In places like Beresteinlaan, Regentesselaan, Lobelialaan, Laan van Eik en Duinen, and Waldorpstraat, walking routes will be improved, and pedestrian crossings will be made safer.
The Hague is also investing in initiatives that encourage walking. These include creating walking routes in parks and residential areas, and developing “walking minute maps” that show exactly how many minutes it takes to get somewhere. The municipality also organizes walking tours and campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of health and exercise.
” With ‘Room for Walking,’ the municipality demonstrates that pedestrians are no longer the final element in the design of public spaces, but the starting point ,” says Alderman Kapteijns. The measures will be implemented gradually over the coming years and align with national guidelines and The Hague’s broader policy for a sustainable and accessible city.
Images & Text: Gemeente Den Haag. Translation: The Hague Online
