Utrecht’s vision for the future
The municipality explores opportunities for a sustainable modernisation of its downtown area taking into account energy savings and sustainable energy. To do so, Utrecht cooperates with various regional, national and international networks and joins forces with local partners. A close collaboration is on-going with local research institutes and professional building administrators.
The cities’ new strategic plan seeks to determine how to insulate historical buildings and monuments, how to use solar panels or geothermal energy in an area steeped in history. It also focuses on restorating and upgrading historical buildings (rather than demolition and new build) as well as on mobility. In Utrecht you will find out what “back to the future” means!
Planned measures
- The parking lot in front of the monumental post office on
the medieval Neude square is transformed into a large terrace and festival square.
- The post office itself is refurbished into a zero-carbon building.
- Utrecht is building a tram lane to replace the busway leading to the University Campus.
- The old railway station is transformed into a new Public Transport Terminal (train/bus/tram), integrating photovoltaic cells.
- Solar panels are deployed in the historical centre.
- A new cargo transport system is developed for the city centre: large packages arrive to the outskirts of the city and are then distributed in smaller packages with the electric Cargohopper (see picture below).
See the other actions of Utrecht, a member of Energy Cities since 1998.
Article extracted from Energy Cities INFO magazine.
© picture City of Utrecht
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