Amsterdam is developing a comprehensive step by step approach to reduce car traffic in the inner city by about 1/3. The main instruments are parking policy, traffic management and the design of urban space. A summary of the plan is distributed as a brochure at the conference. In the conference paper special attention is given to the interdepence of the measures. Making the main radials one way could create room for better traffic management (bicycle lanes, provisions for public transport). This restructuring would at the same time offer the chance to redesign the streetscape. A comprehensive step by step approach requires a solid public support all the way. The interdependence is its strength but also makes it vulnerable - leaving out a few links could seriously damage the whole scheme. Groningen and Delft show a similar attention to public support. Groningen builds upon the results of the restraint measures for the centre taken in 1978. Its recent "Hand on Heart" is however much more of an integral urban plan for the city centre. More attention is given to the management of consultations and communications. In Delft the frequent public consultations sometimes become direct negotiations, where `business can be done'. (A)
Abstract