Keywords: Neighbourhood mobility hub, liveability, densification, urban design, public space
The balance between liveability, residential density and mobility in Dutch cities is increasingly put
under pressure. Raising demand on the urban housing market and large dependence on urban carbased mobility infrastructure in the Netherlands is an issue that demands for innovative solutions.
If implemented in a good way, a new mobility solution of neighbourhood mobility hubs (NMHs) might
offer opportunities for reducing the dominance of private car-based mobility infrastructure in urban
neighbourhoods. Some authors even go as far as saying mobility hubs (MHs) are needed to reshape
these densifying cities. Implementing a spatial strategy incorporating NMHs can shape a highly
needed new balance within public space (PS) in densifying neighbourhoods, with more focus on
liveability outcomes. However, academic research on NMHs has been limited as of yet and potential
impacts on liveability in densifying neighbourhoods are therefore unknown. This paper aims to fill
this knowledge gap through establishing a conceptual model linking the concepts of density, NMHs
and liveability through literature research and expert interviews. The model will be used to create an
urban design for the location of Woensel Zuid in the municipality of Eindhoven, which currently faces
major challenges regarding car-based mobility and the need for higher residential density. Using
the model, the urban design proposal proves that a new balance between liveability and mobility in
urban streets is possible. The design outcome shows a large possibility of reducing paved surfaces
and improving liveability opportunities. The design can be used to better implement NMHs in dense
urban contexts, giving urban designers another tool to use in their toolbox to create liveable, people-oriented urban neighbourhoods.
Rebalancing urban public space – Research portal Eindhoven University of Technology