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A woonerf () is a living street, as originally implemented in the
Since the invention of automobiles, cities have been predominantly constructed to accommodate the use of automobiles.
The entire locality of Emmen in the Netherlands was designed as a woonerf in the 1970s.
In 1999 the Netherlands had over 6000 ''woonerven'' and today around 2 million Dutch people are living in ''woonerven''. The benefits of the woonerf are promoted by ''woonERFgoed'', a network of professionals and residents.
In 2006 it was reported that people in Hesselterbrink, a neighborhood of Emmen, were disillusioned about how the woonerf principle had become another traffic engineering measure that "entailed precious little more than signs and uniform standards". They have now encompassed the
Belgian traffic regulation (art. 2.32) defines the woonerf and the generic erf, and their traffic sign. The woonerf has a residential focus; the erf can have other primary uses like “crafts, trade, tourism, education and recreation”.
In art. 22bis, the Belgian traffic regulation describes what is and what isn’t allowed in a (woon)erf:
Road Traffic Signs and Regulations in the Netherlands
Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat, June 2006 Accessed 7 February 2007.
Case Studies: Woonerf
at California Active Transportation Safety Information Pages (UC Berkeley)
What in the World is a Woonerf?
(Canin Associates) {{Road types Living streets Types of streets Types of roads Cycling in the Netherlands Transportation planning Pedestrian streets in the Netherlands Traffic calming
A woonerf () is a living street, as originally implemented in the Netherlands
)
, anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
, established_title = Before independence
, established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
and in Flanders
Flanders (, ; Dutch: ''Vlaanderen'' ) is the Flemish-speaking northern portion of Belgium and one of the communities, regions and language areas of Belgium. However, there are several overlapping definitions, including ones related to cultu ...
(Belgium
Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
). Techniques include shared space
Shared space is an urban design approach that minimises the segregation between modes of road user. This is done by removing features such as kerbs, road surface markings, traffic signs, and traffic lights. Hans Monderman and others have s ...
, traffic calming
Traffic calming uses physical design and other measures to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. It has become a tool to combat speeding and other unsafe behaviours of drivers in the neighbourhoods. It aims to encourage safe ...
, and low speed limit
Speed limits on road traffic, as used in most countries, set the legal maximum speed at which vehicles may travel on a given stretch of road. Speed limits are generally indicated on a traffic sign reflecting the maximum permitted speed - expre ...
s.
The term "woonerf" has been adopted directly by some English-language publications. In the UK, these areas are called home zone
A home zone (or play street) is a living street (or group of streets) as implemented in the United Kingdom, which are designed primarily to meet the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, children and residents and where the speeds and dominance of cars ...
s.
Etymology
The word, of Dutch origin, literally translates as "living yard" or "residential grounds".History
Since the invention of automobiles, cities have been predominantly constructed to accommodate the use of automobiles.
The entire locality of Emmen in the Netherlands was designed as a woonerf in the 1970s.
In 1999 the Netherlands had over 6000 ''woonerven'' and today around 2 million Dutch people are living in ''woonerven''. The benefits of the woonerf are promoted by ''woonERFgoed'', a network of professionals and residents.
In 2006 it was reported that people in Hesselterbrink, a neighborhood of Emmen, were disillusioned about how the woonerf principle had become another traffic engineering measure that "entailed precious little more than signs and uniform standards". They have now encompassed the shared space
Shared space is an urban design approach that minimises the segregation between modes of road user. This is done by removing features such as kerbs, road surface markings, traffic signs, and traffic lights. Hans Monderman and others have s ...
principles as a way of rethinking the woonerf. They are reported to "now know that car drivers should become residents. Eye contact and human interaction are more effective means to achieve and maintain attractive and safe areas than signs and rules".
Regulation
Belgium
Belgian traffic regulation (art. 2.32) defines the woonerf and the generic erf, and their traffic sign. The woonerf has a residential focus; the erf can have other primary uses like “crafts, trade, tourism, education and recreation”.
In art. 22bis, the Belgian traffic regulation describes what is and what isn’t allowed in a (woon)erf:
Netherlands
Under Article 44 of the Dutch traffic code, motorised traffic in a woonerf or "recreation area" is restricted to walking pace.Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat, June 2006 Accessed 7 February 2007.
Notes
Further reading
* * * * (about aBatavia, Illinois
Batavia () is a city mainly in Kane County and partly in DuPage County in the U.S. state of Illinois. Located in the Chicago metropolitan area, it was founded in 1833 and is the oldest city in Kane County. Per the 2020 census, the population w ...
woonerf)
External links
Case Studies: Woonerf
at California Active Transportation Safety Information Pages (UC Berkeley)
What in the World is a Woonerf?
(Canin Associates) {{Road types Living streets Types of streets Types of roads Cycling in the Netherlands Transportation planning Pedestrian streets in the Netherlands Traffic calming