Over the last ten years the City has transformed the centre into a City Lounge - encouraging people to meet, stay and enjoy Rotterdam - by reallocating road and parking space, slowing traffic speeds and investing in quality public space at an impressive scale. The results are transformative, well worth seeing, and have delivered measurable increases in footfall, dwell time, happiness and health. They are an inspiration to anyone aspiring to similar benefits.

As the city continues to grow, public space is coming under increasing pressure, creating both an opportunity and a sense of urgency to translate the ambition of a walkable neighbourhood network. Challenging traditional car mobility, repurposing existing infrastructure and integrating walking with cycling and public transport is helping translate the vision into citywide gains.

Rotterdam’s vision, supported by a new National Walking Agenda, and the parallel achievements in other Dutch cities make a compelling package for politicians and professionals from around the world to experience the practical and visionary ways walking can be used as an accelerator for more equitable, healthy and smarter places.

The three conference themes are:
SMART - Putting Pedestrians First delivers a smart city on a human scale
HEALTHY - Putting Pedestrians First delivers a healthy city
FOR EVERYONE - Putting Pedestrians First delivers a city for everyone

We are looking forward to welcoming you at Walk21 Rotterdam 2019!