Utrecht is embracing a greener future, particularly in an area right next to the city’s Central Station, on the city centre side just south of that station. While the direct station area and its surroundings have already seen significant improvements – such as the reintroduction of a canal where a highway once ran, the renovation of Hoog Catharijne shopping mall, and the addition of the Moreelsebrug connecting the station to the western part of the city – parts of this neighbourhood still felt forgotten. Despite being home to thousands of workers and serving as a daily transit hub, this area remained heavily paved and uninspiring.
The street had become cluttered with mismatched paving, parked bicycles, and mopeds. It was simply a thoroughfare people wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
The street has been transformed into a cycle street with neat paving, a calm aesthetic, and added greenery. It’s now a space where you might linger. On the far right, construction is ongoing, with plans for a seating area. Interestingly, the building façades, though unchanged, look more appealing thanks to the improved street design.
A New Vision: Gardens of Moreelse
In 2018, Utrecht began planning a transformation in collaboration with stakeholders, residents, and local organisations. The project, named Tuinen van Moreelse (Gardens of Moreelse), draws inspiration from Hendrick Moreelse, a 17th-century mayor of Utrecht who had ambitious expansion plans for this area, which were never realised.
The city describes the project as follows:
“The Gardens of Moreelse is the project name for the area between Hoog Catharijne shopping mall, the railway tracks, Nicolaas Beetstraat, and Catharijnesingel. Together with residents, businesses, and organisations from the area, we are working towards a more pleasant living and working environment here. More greenery, more vibrancy – in short, a place where you’d like to spend time.”
This Google Earth image shows the freeway at the top, a much smaller railway station at the bottom left, and a large bus station to its right. The area to the right of the bus station, which this post focuses on, was predominantly paved with only scattered green spaces, disconnected from each other.
By 2021, the freeway had been replaced by a canal, and the railway station had expanded significantly. The bus station was integrated into the station building, and a cycling and pedestrian bridge now crosses the railway tracks (at the bottom of the picture).
This visual represents the plan for the “Gardens of Moreelse,” connecting existing green spaces by adding greenery to the streets in between. One of these streets has already been reconstructed according to this vision. Map from page 28/29 of the redevelopment plan.
From Grey to Green
The project aims to make the Moreelsepark and its surroundings a valuable green space in Utrecht’s city centre. Its priorities include creating inviting spaces for people to meet, enhancing biodiversity, addressing climate resilience, promoting sustainability, and using circular materials. The vision: a collection of gardens, each with its own unique blend of greenery and design.
The planning process began with a council-approved vision in July 2019, followed by a concept plan developed with stakeholder input in July 2020. After several rounds of feedback, the final designs were approved by the mayor and council in November 2021. Funding was secured in the 2022 coalition agreement, and groundwork commenced in March 2023.
In 2013, Laan van Puntenburg was a vast, asphalted bus depot, paved from façade to façade. In this early-morning photo, no buses are visible, highlighting the uninviting expanse of tarmac.
The same street in 2024 is now lined with greenery. While a paved roadway remains behind the plants, traffic no longer dominates the street’s appearance. Some construction is still ongoing on the left.
Laan van Puntenburg: The First Step
The first tangible result of this vision is the Laan van Puntenburg, reconstructed in 2024. Once a grey, utilitarian space used as tram parking and as a depot for construction materials, it has been transformed into a green gateway to the station area and a showcase for the Gardens of Moreelse.
This section of the street, between the Moreelsebrug and the historic “Inktpot” building, exemplifies the project’s core theme: “From grey to green.” The redesigned street now features trees, flower beds, and seating areas, creating a welcoming space for pedestrians and cyclists. While no specific cycling infrastructure was added, the low traffic volumes and calm design make it easy for all modes of transport to coexist. The street also incorporates rainwater retention systems to help mitigate flooding, a feature increasingly vital for adapting to climate change.
In the early 1970s, this part of the city was primarily designed for vehicular traffic. Moreelse Park featured three one-way car lanes, while the buildings on the left stood boarded up, awaiting demolition. (Picture Utrechts Archief)
In 2024, this street has been reimagined for cyclists. The late 1970s buildings on the left have been updated with a new, cohesive plinth design, improving their appearance and activating the formerly dead ground floor. Some final touches to the plinth and the street furniture are still in progress.
What’s Next?
The Gardens of Moreelse project will be carried out in phases. The next focus is Vrouwe Justitiaplein (Lady Justice Square), located in front of Utrecht’s courthouse. In April 2024, the city began exploring ways to revitalise and green this square through consultations with residents. Designs are currently in development.
This project demonstrates that in areas with minimal traffic and destination-based journeys, separate cycling infrastructure isn’t always necessary. By prioritising low traffic volumes and designing streets to encourage slow speeds, different types of transport can safely share the same space.
A Model for the Future
The Gardens of Moreelse represents Utrecht’s commitment to creating a greener, more liveable city centre. By transforming seemingly forgotten spaces into inviting green areas, the city is proving that even the busiest urban environments can become havens for people and nature alike.
What do you think of Utrecht’s approach? Would a project like this work in your city? Let me know in the comments!
BICYCLE DUTCH 