In the spring of 1992, a referendum was held in Amsterdam about the traffic calming question in the inner city. A small majority of the population voted in favour of reducing car traffic in the area. Since then, the Amsterdam Department of Physical Planning has drawn up a comprehensive Traffic and Urban Design Plan for the City Centre. This plan shows that car traffic cannot be reduced by more than 35% without adversely affecting the economic functioning of the city. In order to achieve this reduction, parking accommodation for both residents and visitors will have to be limited. At the same time, alternatives for car use should be improved and the urban environment enhanced. If, however, further reduction is attempted, the limits of social acceptability come into sight and the economic functions of the city centre are threatened. (A)
Abstract