Sustainable Transportation in the Netherlands Briana DeRosa Christopher Silver Spring 2020 1 Table of Contents Introduction 4 Project Background 4 Research Question 5 Hypothesis 5 Research Methodology 5 Relation to the Built Environment 5 Pillars of Sustainability 6 Economic 7 Social 7 Environmental 7 Relation to Sustainable Development Goals 7 Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being 9 Goal 9: Industries, Innovation and Infrastructure 9 Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 10 Goal 13: Climate Action 10 Transportation Systems 11 Bicycles in the Netherlands 11 Benefits of Biking 12 Bicycle Use in Groningen 13 History of Bicycles in Groningen 14 Bicycle Policy in Groningen 14 Traffic Circulation Plan 15 Case Study: Implementation and Results of the Traffic Circulation Plan in the City of Groningen by Clemens Hellemeier, Mahdokht Soltaniehha. 16 Groningen Cycle Strategy 2015-2025 18 Groningen - Cycling City 18 Challenges For the City 18 Our Cycling Strategy 19 Bicycle Use in Amsterdam 24 History of Bicycles in Amsterdam 24 Bicycle Policy in Amsterdam 26 Long Term Bicycle Plan 2017-2022 26 Smooth Cycling 27 2 Easy Parking 28 Better Biking 29 Public Transport in the Netherlands 30 Busses 30 Benefits of Busses 30 Regional Bus Services 31 Local Bus Services 31 Trains 32 Benefits of Trains 33 Trains in the Netherlands 34 Conclusion 34 References 36 3 Introduction As society and the world continues to develop and globalization increases, the state of the planet is increasingly at risk. Along with the devastating destruction of the natural world comes impacts on health directly due to the actions humans take in order to meet demands as well as progress. We as a species are destroying our own future at the stake of current society’s progression. We must shift how we live and develop our lives to align with sustainability- focusing on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.The three key pillars of sustainability are economic, social and environmental; three areas which all life activities can be attributed to. The Netherlands is a country which has taken a lead in global sustainability efforts and can be analyzed as a model for change in which the rest of the world could and should implement. Dutch are very skilled and serious planners which has played a major part in their ability to become one of the most sustainable countries in the world. Their way of life is sustainable as they have built their society surrounding how humans should interact with the environment. For this research paper I am going to focus on how they form their transportation systems to increase social and economic sustainability and battle climate change. Project Background After having the opportunity to spend a month in the city of Groningen in the Netherlands, I quickly saw a stark difference in the ways people get around compared to my home state of Florida as well as most places in the United States. Transportation is vital for a functioning and productive society and so it is the responsibility for humans to figure out how to 4 carry on with it in a way that is respectful to the environment while considering human needs. My research is going to focus on how transportation is being handled sustainably and efficiently in the Netherlands, specifically focusing on bicycles, public buses and trains.. Research Question How does the Netherlands promote sustainability in regard to transportation? Hypothesis My hypothesis is that the Netherlands promotes sustainability through transportation policy and practices. Research Methodology I will conduct secondary research on different transportation options which are vital to a sustainably functioning society. Focusing on the Netherlands, I will explore how sustainable versions of this infrastructure can impact people, the planet and profit. Relation to the Built Environment The scope of my project relates to the built environment as I am focusing on different sustainably oriented transportation modes and how they affect the people, planet and profit. By focusing on environmentally friendly transportation systems I will draw conclusions on how decisions can influence sustainability, including all three pillars. Pillars of Sustainability Sustainability is a concept that requires interconnectedness of multiple realms of society in order to achieve true success. Each part must be achieved or the system in question will be 5 unbalanced. There are two popular ways used to visualize this concept (See Figure A and Figure ​ B). ​ Figure A: Three Pillars Demonstrated as Support Beams for Sustainability Figure B: Three Pillars Demonstrated as how they Interact with Each Other Economic My research relates to the economic pillar as the Netherlands funnels money into 6 sustainable transportation policy and practices which boost economic activity. Social My research can be analyzed in regard to the individuals who interact and live within a sustainably built society and utilize different alternative transportation methods. Environmental My research works to understand how interconnected the environment and humans are and how the choices that we make in regard to transportation can influence each. With a focus on environmentally friendly living comes positive benefits for the planet. Relation to Sustainable Development Goals There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals were developed in 2015 by the United Nations in efforts to create a more sustainable global world. These 17 goals “address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice” (United Nations). The 17 Goals highlight each pillar of sustainability and so are all interconnected, and intended to be completely inclusive in attempts to leave no one behind. The agenda for the goals sets the precedent that they must be reached by 2030 in order to have the highest impact on our world systems. With only a decade less to accomplish the goals, “SDG Summit in September 2019 called for a decade of action and delivery for sustainable development, and pledged to mobilize financing, enhance national implementation and strengthen institutions” (United Nations). The actions are being considered 7 on three levels which are global, local and people. Global action is intended to secure more proficient leadership, increase resource availability and responsibility, and develop more innovative solutions to aid reaching goals. Local action is supporting governments, cities and local authorities to incorporate policies, budgets, institutions and frameworks that are in line with goals. Lastly, people's action is to promote needed transformations in individuals, private institutions, and influential public realms such as schools and the media. The Netherlands is on board completely on board with working toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The Dutch work each year to implement programs which will further sustainable development goals as “The Netherlands is fully committed to making the next leap forward,’ Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015” (United Nations). This statement was followed by action In 2016 when, “the Dutch Government [pledged] to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)...€28 million to help UNDP deliver on its strategic plan through 2017... one of UNDP’s top 15 donor countries, the Netherlands is a key UNDP partner in the fields of the rule of law, food security, water, and reproductive health and rights.” (United Nations Development Program). The actions being taken are well spread through global, local and people as again, sustainability is a web of work that must be complementary or links do not connect. Though the Netherlands is a supporter of all sustainable development goals, I will specifically highlight the few that tie into the Dutch transportation systems I will be reviewing in this paper. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being “Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being at all ages is essential to sustainable 8 development”. The incorporation of sustainable transportation systems, such as biking and high carry capacity methods promotes mental and physical health. Specific Goal Targets: 3.9 By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals ​ and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. ● By minimizing emissions from single person travel methods, there will be reduced air pollution and soil and water pollution caused by rainfall run off of car chemicals left on roadways. Goal 9: Industries, Innovation and Infrastructure Sustainable Development Goal number nine indicates “Investments in infrastructure – transport, irrigation, energy and information and communication technology – are crucial to achieving sustainable development and empowering communities in many countries. It has long been recognized that growth in productivity and incomes, and improvements in health and education outcomes require investment in infrastructure” (United Nations). The Netherlands is a hub for innovative industry in all sectors but specifically they work to innovate and incorporate cutting edge, eco-friendly technologies into their transport. Specific Goal Targets: 9.4 - By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with ​ increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries