Mobility

The DP is looking to set the agenda for a modern transport policy offering the citizens a good quality of life. The key to this lies in a pragmatic, interconnected mobility concept adapted to the needs of the citizens and affording them the requisite freedom and flexibility so as to get from A to B quickly and reliably. The strengthening of the public transport system, together with the consistent development of separate, interconnected footpaths/walkways and cycle paths, will create the conditions for acceptable, smooth mobility. This will benefit the climate, and also noise and air quality in the municipalities. We will advance the phasing-out of fossil- based energy by, amongst other things, expanding the charging infrastructure for electric cars and electric bikes.

Traffic development plan.

In order for the municipality to become fit for the future in terms of mobility, it needs to draw up a traffic development plan. This longer-term strategy will be implemented in collaboration with actors from the mobility sector and the citizens.

Traffic-calming in our localities/shared spaces.

By introducing shared spaces, we can make our municipality more human and dynamic. We want to introduce a shared space in the heart of Mamer and to redesign the Route d’Arlon around the Capellen Campus. Among the traffic calming measures, we also include intelligent installations such as traffic lights that automatically switch to stop mode if a car is driving too fast, illuminated pedestrian crossings and intelligent speed bumps that encourage motorists to reduce their speed.

Bus stops with digital display panels.

All too often, bus users are left standing bemused and clueless at bus stops, because they don’t have the necessary information about travel times – especially when there are delays. In order to make public bus travel more enticing, the DP Gemeng Mamer is looking to ensure that as many bus stops as possible are covered with roofing and fitted with digital display panels powered by solar energy.

Making public transport a more attractive option at night.

Especially when it comes to nightlife, there is often no alternative to using the car. The DP will expand the availability of night buses and trains. In addition, we will be considering the introduction of shuttle buses towards bus stops and train stations.

Promoting the free flow of traffic in our municipality.

In many towns abroad, the so-called “green wave” system of phased traffic lights ensures a continuous traffic flow. The “green wave” means that automobilists sticking to speed limits can rely on the fact that traffic signs will switch to green when they drive along. The DP sees this measure as an important element of a more efficient traffic management strategy.

Road safety.

In high-traffic areas, at the entrances to municipalities and near schools, the DP Gemeng Mamer advocates traffic lights that slow down hurried motorists.

Lighting of pedestrian crossings.

Especially in winter, such lighting plays an essential role in terms of road safety. The DP Gemeng Mamer will ensure that, for example, all pedestrian crossings are adequately lit, thus rendering pedestrians easily visible. Since wider pavements and, in some places, the narrowing of roads can also make for greater safety and traffic calming, the DP Gemeng Mamer will examine in which places within our municipality this is reasonable and feasible.

Safe routes to school.

Whether the journey is made on foot, by bike or on a pedal scooter, we want to ensure that the route to school is safe and appropriate for all schoolchildren. This means wide, open and well-lit footpaths/walkways and cycle paths, a “walking bus” (Pedibus) taking the children to school on foot or by bicycle, and regular awareness-raising campaigns for all road users. To ensure the safety of all concerned, we propose the introduction of a limited “Kiss & Go” stopping place, since there will always be parents who for various different reasons prefer to drive their children to school by car.

Travelling safely on foot and by bike.

The DP Gemeng Mamer is looking to consistently expand the network of municipal cycle paths and, where possible, to separate them from conventional roads. For one thing, this will make all major places in the town accessible by bicycle; and second, it will ensure connection to the surrounding localities and the national system of cycle paths.

Expanding bicycle roads.

The DP Gemeng Mamer will review the traffic management system in built-up areas and analyse the extent to which traffic-carrying thoroughfares can be switched to serve the needs of pedestrians and cyclists. In many places, the reduction of noise nuisance and exhaust fumes would bring significant benefits in terms of quality of life.

Bicycle boxes and stands.

As part of our efforts to enhance active mobility, we also need to instal bicycle boxes and stands in public places and next to new residential and office buildings, as well as setting up bicycle workshops/bike stations. Additionally, the DP is looking to introduce, in collaboration with neighbouring municipalities, a rental system for bicycles, cargo bikes and/or e-scooters, or to expand the existing system. Bicycle boxes should be installed at interchange stations.

Expanding “Park & Ride” facilities.

Mamer needs a large “Park & Ride” car park with optimal connections to the railway stations. We will immediately analyse which locations are suitable and insist that this infrastructure is built in the most ecological way possible.

Parking-App.

In order to give citizens at all times an overview of the availability of parking spaces in central locations within the municipality and in multi-storey car parks, the DP will provide a municipal app or display panels containing all the relevant information in that regard.

Short-term parking spaces.

To support retailers, we propose to introduce, in the vicinity of shops and other retail outlets, a short-term parking system, available free of charge and featuring a digital parking meter. The number of bicycle parking spaces should usefully complement this short-term parking system.

Guaranteeing accessibility.

The DP is resolved to ensure that all bus stops and other traffic infrastructures are made accessible as quickly as possible, so that people with a physical impairment can have recourse to public transport without experiencing any problems. We will ensure that bus stops are comfortably accessible for citizens in a wheelchair.

Promoting e-mobility.

In order to make it easier for citizens to switch to emission-free mobility, the DP will ensure that as far as possible within the municipality, enough charging stations are available for electric vehicles in all public car parks and in the vicinity of shops.

In addition, charging stations for e-biker should be available at various locations in the municipality.

Making the mobility of the municipal administration more sustainable.

The DP will accelerate the changeover by the municipal administration to climate-friendly mobility, and implement the conversion of the entire fleet of vehicles to CO2-neutral mobility (electric vehicles, hydrogen propulsion, e-fuels, etc.).

Promoting carsharing

The Flex carsharing solution of CFL should be available at more locations in the municipality.

More parking spaces for deliveries.

The DP is committed to providing special parking spaces for delivery vehicles along much-frequented roads, in order to reduce the obstacles to the free flow of traffic. In addition, the DP would like to see more consistent action taken to combat parking on pavements, entrances to premises and cycle paths.

Housing

In the effort to combat the housing crisis, the public sector bears a particular responsibility, along with the municipalities. The DP is looking to meet the challenge of the growing demand for affordable housing by means of a more rapid mobilisation and promotion of alternative types of housing, as well as collaboration between public and private property developers. In so doing, we will also be focusing ever more intently on the ecological aspects.

Creating affordable housing.

The DP Gemeng Mamer would like to expand social housing. The housing thus created and building plots currently in public ownership should first and foremost be made available to young families and households on a leasehold basis (emphyteusis) or by way of lease.

Proactive acquisition of land.

In order to boost the stock of affordable residential property in the municipality, the DP Gemeng Mamer will proactively approach individuals and companies that are not building on their plots of land, with a view to either acquiring the land in question or renting or leasing the same for a given period for the purpose of erecting modular buildings thereon.

Mobilising plots of land and implementing residential projects.

Rather than allowing plots of land owned by the municipality to lie idle and unused, the DP Gemeng Mamer wants to mobilise them as quickly as possible, thereby enabling affordable housing to be created in short order. Part of these land holdings should be made available to housing associations on a leasehold basis. In a housing association, all the residents are at the same time also owners, and can thus have a say in what goes on in their housing complex. Housing associations are a not-for-profit type of housing, and increase the social mix in new or existing residential neighbourhoods.

Mitigating the obligation to provide parking spaces.

In many municipalities, there is a requirement, in the construction of apartment buildings (“résidences”), to provide a certain number of car parking spaces per residential unit. The DP Gemeng Mamer plans to assess whether, in the case of construction projects having good connections with public transport (buses, trains), rigid rules concerning parking spaces still make sense and whether, as the case may be, those rules might be relaxed. In addition, parking spaces for bicycles should have good access to the street.

Promoting multi-generational housing.

Multi-generational houses are open meeting places or residential facilities for people of all ages, with different origins or cultural backgrounds. The DP Gemeng Mamer will support the creation of new multi-generational houses, thereby strengthening cohesion in the municipality across the different generations. We also want to analyse how the accommodation of a second family in a single-family house can be encouraged. This form of cohabitation would not only promote the coexistence of different cultures and generations, but would also help to combat the housing shortage. It should be possible for elderly people to live as long ass possible in their municipality.

Accomodation meeting the needs of people with disabilities and the elderly.

The DP Gemeng Mamer advocates alternative, flexible and suitable housing for people with disabilities and senior citizens. The municipality should financially support housing for people with disabilities. Moreover, the municipality should roll out a competition to honour best practices in this field.

In the context of large-scale housing developments, the DP Gemeng Mamer will integrate alternative forms of housing into planning projects and ensure that social and medical facilities are available in the immediate vicinity.

Promoting alternative forms of residential accommodation.

The DP will adapt the municipal building regulations to make alternative forms of accommodation possible, such as flat-sharing or the construction of so-called “tiny houses”. We will determine a location close to the centre of Mamer where tiny houses can be built with excellent public transport connections. The building regulations will have to be thoroughly reviewed and adapted to the new provisions.

An urban planning concept for Mamer.

We want to unite the citizens around an urban planning concept for the future of Mamer. We want quality buildings close to the mobility infrastructure.

Housing for young people.

The DP considers that the municipalities should provide more accommodation for young people who cannot afford a place of their own on the normal market. This could include small furnished bedsits (studios) let at an affordable rent, making it easier for young people to make their way forward into independent adult life.

Car-free residential neighbourhoods.

In the context of future housing projects, the DP Gemeng Mamer will promote a space utilisation concept which prioritises people when it comes to public areas. In other words, instead of having lots of private parking spaces, parking will be centralised and – save for occasional deliveries – will largely disappear from the neighbourhood. This will not only improve road safety but will also provide an appreciable boost to the quality of life. In addition, it will have to be analysed whether parking lifts are possible in new housing developments.

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