Filip Watteeuw has been the deputy mayor of Mobility, Public Domain and Urban Planning in Ghent, Belgium since 2019. In his first term, as the deputy mayor of Mobility and Public Works he initiated the Ghent Circulation Plan.

The Plan divided the city of Ghent into six big car free zones, forcing car drivers travelling from one section to another to take the city’s inner ring-road, instead of driving through the local streets. This was part of the strengthening of an existing sustainable mobility policy, as a way to give back the streets of Ghent to the people.

The share of cyclists in all trips increased from 22% to 35%, and car use declined. Air quality improved, and the number of traffic accidents decreased.

What were initially controversial changes to retailers and restaurateurs in Ghent soon became well-supported, with a 17% increase in restaurant and bar startups. These changes also saw Filip get re-elected with an increased majority, encouraging to any political champions of change in towns and cities across the world.