Livable Neighbourhoods: All You Need to Know About Woonerf Streets🚶♀️🚲🌳🏘️
Discover the principles behind the Dutch Concept of Woonerf Streets that is transforming cities worldwide.
🏙️ Want safer streets, stronger communities, and more livable neighbourhoods?
Then you need a city where streets are designed for people — not just cars.
Imagine neighbourhoods where kids can play, seniors can stroll, and cyclists and drivers share space respectfully. This is the vision behind the Woonerf — a Dutch concept that reimagines streets as social, vibrant public spaces. And now, you can learn how to bring this idea to life in your own city.
This month, we’ve teamed up with UMX by EIT Urban Mobility to explore how the Woonerf concept is transforming cities into healthier, more inclusive places to live.
A Woonerf (pronounced VOH-nerf) is a Dutch term that translates roughly to "living street." It refers to a shared street design where pedestrians, cyclists, and cars all share the same space, but pedestrians have priority.
🌟 Monthly Insights with UMX
UMX by EIT Urban Mobility offers a variety of free courses for urban professionals, and we’re excited to spotlight these valuable resources to help you boost your careers. This time, our focus is on street design mobility and UMX’s free(!) course ‘Designing a Livable Neighbourhood: The Woonerf Concept’.
🏘️ 3 Things to Know About Woonerf Streets (and How They Can ChangeYour City):
🌿 1. Streets Can Be Shared Spaces
Woonerven challenge the idea that roads are just for cars. Learn how shared space design improves safety, reduces speed, and fosters social interaction in urban neighbourhoods.
📌 Tip: Use these principles to rethink local streets and public spaces as places for people, not just traffic.
🏙️ 2. Where did the Sidewalk Go?
Woonerf streets use blended surfaces—like paving stones or bricks—to blur the line between road and sidewalk, encouraging shared use and slower speeds.
📌 Tip: Move beyond the manual — real street design is flexible, creative, and tailored to its context.
🔧 3. Implementation Is a Collaborative Process
Creating a Woonerf involves working with residents, planners, and policy makers. Learn how to navigate planning, communication, and stakeholder engagement to turn a vision into reality.
📌 Tip: Start small — temporary pilots and placemaking events can spark momentum for lasting change.
📖 Ready to reimagine your city’s streets?
Take this free, self-paced course: Designing a Livable Neighbourhood: The Woonerf Concept
🎓 Taught by leading urbanists:
Dick van Veen, senior traffic engineer and urban designer helping cities worldwide shift to people-friendly streets.
Lior Steinberg, urban planner and co-founder of Humankind, blending infrastructure, design, and storytelling to build joyful cities.
📚 In This Course, You Will:
✅ Understand the origin and core principles of the Woonerf concept
✅ Learn how to design streets as inclusive, multifunctional public spaces
✅ Explore real-world examples of Woonerf projects and their impact
🌟 Why Enroll:
Whether you are an urban planner, a policy maker, or a transport enthusiast, this course equips you to make informed, impactful decisions that enhance the livability and functionality of cities.
Here’s what you can expect:
✔ It’s Free: No enrollment fees.
✔ Fits Your Schedule: Learn at your pace.
✔ Anywhere, Anytime: Accessible from wherever you are.
✔ Practical Skills: Go from beginner to actionable insights fast.
✔ CV Booster: Option to earn a certificate for a small fee.
🚶♀️Who Should Take This Course?
Urban planners, mobility professionals, architects, policymakers, activists, students or anyone passionate about designing better, people-focused cities.
🔎 Explore More Free Courses with UMX
Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) by EIT Urban Mobility offers a variety of free, self-paced courses available for urbanists worldwide. UMX helps professionals like you level up your skills and become urban mobility insiders. Backed by their extensive network of 750+ top European entities and experts, including city planners, academics, and consultants, they offer a diverse array of courses, short videos, and other tailored learning resources to help you stay on track and refine your desired skill set.
Join us on this journey. Apply for your first UMX course today and drive the change!
Warm regards,
The All Things Urban Team