A shared vision for sustainable recreational mobility on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and its flanks
Stakeholders in and around Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park (NPUH) have developed a joint vision for sustainable recreational mobility in and around the nature area. The vision aims to reduce car dependency and encourage visitors to travel more sustainably—by foot, bicycle and public transport.
The vision was developed within the North-West Europe Interreg MONA project, which promotes sustainable tourism in nature areas by encouraging a shift to more sustainable modes of transport in national parks, implementing inclusive route planning, and supporting all users to adopt more sustainable behaviour.
Broad collaboration
The project brought together representatives from public authorities, land management organisations, transport providers, visitor groups and nature organisations, including the Province of Utrecht, local municipalities, NS (Dutch Railways), ProRail, ANWB (Royal Dutch Touring Club), Routebureau Utrecht, the NPUH Youth Council and Visio (Centre of Expertise for People with Visual Impairments). Both public officials and political decision-makers were actively involved.
The development of the joint vision was facilitated by the National Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug Foundation within the Interreg North-West Europe MONA project, with process guidance provided by consultancy firm Rebel Group (Living Mobility).
From long-term goals to concrete actions
Throughout 2024 and 2025, stakeholders worked together through workshops, forecasting and backcasting exercises, and administrative meetings to develop a shared long-term vision for 2050. This vision is supported by concrete ambitions for the short term (2026) and medium term (2035), ensuring that long-term goals translate into realistic and actionable steps. Transport experts assessed the feasibility of the vision across different modes—active mobility, public transport, shared mobility and private car use.
Alongside the long-term vision, a concise development agenda was created, outlining the concrete actions needed in the short and medium term to make the 2050 vision achievable.
A joint vision based on seven mobility principles
This collaborative process resulted in a joint vision built on seven guiding mobility principles, presenting a shared regional perspective for 2050. The vision has broad support from all involved parties, though it has not been formally adopted by each organisation individually. By building consensus and commitment, the vision provides direction and ensures alignment towards common goals, whilst establishing the key focus areas needed to achieve them.
Declaration of intent for cooperation on sustainable recreational mobility
In December 2025, public authorities, landowners, transport providers and regional partners signed a declaration of intent, confirming their shared commitment to continued cooperation on developing a sustainable recreational mobility system in and around the national park.
The next phase will focus on translating the vision into a practical and implementable approach, ensuring a green, accessible and future-proof mobility system for the Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
Download the English summary of the vision document.
The full vision (in Dutch) can be accessed here.
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