Tackling mobility poverty in Utrecht

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Tackling mobility poverty in Utrecht

Ineke Malsch • 21 februari 2024

English translation of student report matching supply and demand for affordable sustainable transport in Utrecht

Anne-Wil Verhoef, Ayana van der Ven, Bente Visser, Byörn Willems, Job ter Haar and Owen Lichtenberg performed a multicriteria analysis on mobility poverty in Utrecht. They demonstrated a methodology to better match supply of sustainable transport options in Utrecht to the wishes and needs of citizens with a low income.

The English translation of the summary reads:

Mobility is important and self-evident for many in our society. However, this is not possible for everyone. When people are unable to use means of transport because of their socio-economic situation, this is called mobility poverty. To achieve a sustainable and climate-neutral Utrecht by 2030, it is important that everyone can contribute to sustainable mobility. Sustainable Utrecht 2030 is a network that is committed to people with a limited budget, so that these residents can also contribute to the development goals of 2030. Sustainable Utrecht 2030 has commissioned research into the sustainable mobility of Utrecht for residents with a limited budget.

This project focuses on the working population of the municipality of Utrecht who have an income of up to 125% Statutory Social Minimum (WSM). The aim of the project is to make sustainable mobility more accessible to the target group. Based on literature preliminary research, the various sustainable mobility options that the municipality of Utrecht has to offer have been mapped out. Examples include buses, trains, trams, shared bicycles, and private bicycles. In this literature preliminary study, the U-pas is also described. This is an existing scheme for residents who fall within the target group of the study.

First, the various mobility options were examined. This was conducted based on a Multiple Criteria Analysis (MCA) with supporting literary research. The mobility options were evaluated based on various criteria. These different criteria are environmental friendliness, accessibility, efficiency, and cost. The result of the MCA is that the train, shared bike, and own bike receive the highest score. Subsequently, the target group's demand for sustainable mobility was investigated by means of a survey. This survey includes questions about the preferences and needs of residents about sustainable mobility. These residents prefer to use their own bicycles, trains, and buses. The group surveyed also indicated that they would like to make more use of the bus, train, and their own bicycle. The results obtained were then compared against each other. As a result, it has been deduced that your own bicycle, bus, and train are prominently present. Based on the insight gained and an interview with a city council member, conclusions were drawn.

The results of the study were discussed with the council member and resulted in a number of recommendations. The councillor talked about a bicycle scheme in the Overvecht district where bicycles are sold at an adjusted price. This leads to the recommendation that this scheme can be extended to the entire city. All residents with the right to a U-pas can appropriate their own bicycle. Another recommendation is to provide information and educational activities to the target group. This gives the residents more insight into the subject, which ensures greater involvement. A follow-up recommendation is a discount on public transport for residents with an income of up to 125% WSM. The survey has shown that residents are willing to pay an average of twenty-five cents per kilometre. In the current situation, the average price per kilometre is 50% higher. The use of a local bus is also recommended. The interview with the councillor showed that the current bus system focuses on the primary routes. By using the local bus, this transport system can be broken open, which ensures a greater spread of the bus. The survey also showed that residents want to use the bus more. What the structure and layout of the neighbourhood bus looks like should be revealed by means of a follow-up study. In conclusion, it can be said that for a more accessible sustainable mobility, there must be adjustments and expansions to the existing schemes aimed at bicycles and buses.

Download the full English translation here, or read the original Dutch version, published at ZENODO.

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AZC Residents in Utrecht explore Dutch farming

door Noor Ul Ain • 4 april 2025

On the 2nd of April, in collaboration with Welkom in Utrecht , we at DuurzaamUtrecht2030 arranged an excursion for the ladies from the AZC (asylum seekers' center) in Utrecht. The visit took place at 13:00 at Stadsboerderij Eilandsteede , an urban farm just an 8-minute walk from the AZC. The short distance made it easy for the residents to join, and many arrived full of curiosity and enthusiasm. The staff at Eilandsteede warmly welcomed us and gave an engaging tour of the farm, explaining what they do in terms of food growth and sustainability. It was inspiring to see how passionate they were about creating a space where people from different backgrounds could come together, learn, and contribute. During the tour, the staff highlighted the different ways they grow food, care for the animals, and maintain the farm in an environmentally friendly way. One of the most interesting aspects of the visit was seeing the farm’s use of vermicomposting. The staff showed us how they have created their own bins, using worms to break down organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. It was fascinating to see how this simple process not only reduces waste but also provides natural fertilizer for their crops, highlighting an innovative and sustainable approach to farming. They were also enthusiastic about involving different communities, and they actively encouraged AZC residents to join as volunteers. The response from the AZC residents was amazing. Many of them had never been to a place like this before, and they were fascinated by what they saw. One of the women from the Azc shared that she had never grown anything on her own before, but after seeing the farm, she felt inspired and wanted to learn more. This visit was about more than just looking around—it was a way to introduce the residents to sustainability in a practical and accessible way. Often, sustainable practices can seem distant or difficult to engage with, but through experiences like this, we can show that small actions, like growing your own food or taking care of a garden, can make a difference. By participating in activities like urban farming, the AZC residents can not only learn new skills but also become more involved in the community. It offers a sense of belonging, connection, and an opportunity to contribute to something meaningful. Sustainability is not just about the environment—it’s also about people, inclusion, and working together towards a better future. This excursion was a small but powerful step in that direction, and we hope to continue creating more opportunities for the AZC residents to engage in sustainable activities. To keep this momentum going, we at DuurzaamUtrecht2030 are exploring ways to grow this initiative and make it bigger. How can we create a more permanent connection between AZC residents and urban farming? Could we set up regular volunteer programs, gardening workshops, or even a small community garden at the AZC itself? This visit was just the beginning, and we believe there is great potential to expand sustainable activities for the residents—whether through farming, composting, or even sustainable cooking sessions using fresh produce from local farms. We also welcome ideas from the community—how can we involve more people, organizations, and resources to make this a long-term and impactful collaboration? If you have suggestions or want to be part of this journey, we would love to hear from you. Let’s work together to make sustainability more inclusive and accessible for everyone!

Gratis voortuin voor BO-EX huurders

door Ineke Malsch • 3 april 2025

Utrechtse huurders van woningcorporatie BO-EX krijgen gratis hulp om hun betegelde voortuin om te vormen in een groen paradijsje. Lees hier meer over op: https://www.boex.nl/gratis-voortuin-makeover en meld u snel aan. Huurt u niet bij BO-EX maar wilt u wel tuinieren of hulp in uw tuin? Kijk op de pagina sociaal moestuinieren voor tips.