Developing a Hub Strategy
Discover North Holland's pioneering Hub Strategy, transforming sustainable transit in urban and rural environments. Delve into how this comprehensive approach integrates diverse mobility needs, enhances connectivity, and fosters collaboration among stakeholders.
From conversations with Paul Chorus, elaborated by Jorge Manso Garcia.
North Holland has been at the forefront of integrating multimodal transport hubs into its urban fabric, dedicating substantial efforts to develop a cohesive network of mobility hubs. The pinnacle of these endeavours has been the introduction of its Hub Strategy in November 2023, aimed at enhancing the accessibility, sustainability, and liveability in its bustling cities and tranquil municipalities.
In an insightful discussion, Paul Chorus, policy advisor for the Province of North Holland, shed light on the ambitious process of developing the Hub Strategy. This recently unveiled strategy sets the course for the province’s future mobility, reflecting its commitment to revitalise the transport landscape. Through a forward-thinking approach, North Holland has established a network of mobility hubs seamlessly integrating various transport modes. The Hub Strategy delineates the province’s pivotal in coordinating and cooperating on hub development and operations, while also supporting municipalities to avoid duplicating efforts and reinventing the wheel.
The Genesis of the Hub Strategy
The inception of the Hub Strategy arose from a pressing need to bolster the efficiency and integration of public transport systems serving both the urban centres and the rural areas of North Holland. Informed by the Province’s Perspective Mobility document, the strategy underscores the imperative for smart mobility solutions, particularly emphasising active mobility and multimodal transport.
‘Mobility hubs are more than mere transit points; they are crucial in promoting social interactions and connectivity,’ asserts Chorus. Envisioned as vibrant spaces where public transport options converge with private and shared mobility solutions, these hubs provide residents and commuters with a seamless multimodal experience — one that complements the available mobility system.
In this sense, beyond contributing to increasing accessibility of mobility, hubs wield a profound influence on traveller behaviour, the quality of the living environment and public spaces, as well as the health of users and residents.
Integrating Urban and Rural Mobility
One of the unique challenges addressed by the strategy is the integration of urban and rural mobility in North Holland, a region with diverse geographical needs where densely populated cities like Amsterdam have significantly different mobility demands compared to sparsely populated rural areas. ‘Our strategy aims to provide equitable access to mobility solutions that cater to both the dynamic urban environments and the tranquillity of rural settings,’ Chorus explains.
In urban areas, hubs focus on reducing car dependency, facilitating a shift towards more sustainable commuting options such as cycling, walking, and public transport. In contrast, rural hubs aim to maintain viable public transport systems that can adapt to lower demand without compromising service quality. ‘The approach is about enhancing connectivity in a way that respects and uplifts the local context,’ Chorus adds.
‘A comprehensive network of mobility hubs must ensure accessibility across the Province’s cities and municipalities. This strategy sets different hubs to cater to various target groups and types of trips. Whether within urban areas, rural areas, or between cities and rural areas, all journeys are aimed to be facilitated,’ Chorus emphasises.
Collaborative Efforts and Economic Challenges
Developing such a comprehensive mobility network requires extensive collaboration with a myriad of stakeholders, including local governments, transport companies, and private operators. ‘We have engaged in extensive consultations with municipalities and transport providers to ensure that our visions align and complement each other,’ Chorus notes.
Despite these ambitions, the project faces challenges such as funding constraints and the complex task of aligning various stakeholder expectations. The strategy outlines the role of the Province in supporting development, ranging from subsidised co-financing with municipalities to promoting hub development in urban planning, enhancing hub accessibility and exploring innovative funding models like public-private partnerships.
North Holland has embarked on several pilot projects to test and refine the hub concept. ‘These pilots are crucial. They allow us to gather data, understand user behaviours, and adjust our strategies in real-time,’ says Chorus. Learning from these initial implementations helps scale successful practices across the province, adapting strategies to better meet the needs of each area. This systemic scaling up of successful elements not only extends the reach and impact of the hubs but also enhances overall connectivity and accessibility throughout North Holland's urban and rural areas.
Hub strategies for neighbourhoods,
districts, and regions
Provincie Noord-Holland (2023)
Future Directions
North Holland's Hub Strategy plays a crucial role in shaping a sustainable and accessible future for its residents. It also proves how provincial governments are finding new ways of spearheading the development of mobility innovations, effectively supporting municipalities and fostering synergies across various transport modes. By establishing a clear typology and defining specific roles for regional governance, North Holland ensures each phase of the hub strategy aligns with broader transport goals. This clarity helps municipalities understand their role within the larger framework, enhancing cooperative efforts and resource allocation.
‘Including a diverse array of stakeholders from the onset is foundational to any strategy, as it reinforces its robustness. Engaging sectors ranging from public transit authorities to private mobility service providers ensures that the hubs developed are not only multifunctional but also inclusive, catering to a wide range of urban and rural mobility needs,’ concludes Paul Chorus.
As North Holland continues to expand and refine its network of mobility hubs, the Hub Strategy will serve as a dynamic blueprint for sustainable urban development. It represents a significant step towards integrating and enhancing the province's transport systems, meeting the modern demands of urban and rural living. The success of this strategy will hinge on its adaptability and the continuous commitment to collaborative governance and extensive community involvement.
Click here to read the article in its original format.
About the contributors:
Paul Chorus is a Senior Policy Officer for mobility and a project leader in the field of sustainable area development within North Holland's Smart Mobility Programme. He was responsible for drafting the province's Hub Strategy, which was approved by regional ministers in 2023. Currently, he collaborares with local municipalities on the implementation of various mobility hubs.
Jorge Manso García At POLIS, Jorge focuses on European projects in the area of shared mobility, such as SMAPE, ShareDiMobiHub, and SUM. Furthermore, he contributes his expertise to the HL4EU Project (Healthy Lifestyles for Europe) and supports the Safety and Security Working Group.
Elmer van der Marel