HOW AMSTERDAM PLANS TO REDUCE CAR TRAFFIC

Abstract

In 1993, the city of Amsterdam published a scheme to reduce car traffic in the historical city centre. This article describes the backgrounds and origins of the scheme; its relation with a local referendum, held in 1992 on the subject of traffic reduction; the objectives; a sustainable form of transport for a thriving economic city centre; the main elements of the scheme itself; its impact on the city's economy and on environmental qualities, the way public support has been created; and finally the results of the decision-making process. (A)