Antwerp and Flanders Welcome the European Transport Conference 2024

Welcome to Antwerp and Flanders 

The City of Antwerp and the Flanders Region, Belgium, extend a warm welcome to members of the Association of European Transport and to all delegates of the European Transport Conference that will take place in September 2024 (18 - 20).

"We look forward to hosting this 52nd annual conference of the Association and showing you what the city has to offer, that is both of professional interest in the fields of transport and urban development, and how they enable and integrate with the economic prosperity and social well-being of our region."

Key Facts and Figures

The City of Antwerp and Flanders Region are a large and growing European centre of trade and culture in Belgium. As early as the 9th century there was a fortified settlement near the present-day Het Steen. The first stone city walls were built in the 11th century and you can still see the Tournai limestone that was used for this in the substructure of Het Steen. Since then the city has grown into an international gateway for trade, with thriving industries including the diamond trade, and can boast the world's first purpose-built commodity exchange. It is also a centre of learning: the University of Antwerp itself, the conference host, and several colleges including the Antwerp Management School (AMS) and the Antwerp Maritime Academy.

Antwerp - Key Facts for the City, Region and Nation

Transport Interest in Antwerp and Flanders

Antwerp provides well for sustainable personal mobility with extensive provision for journeys on foot and by bike including:

• A dedicated tunnel under the River Sheldt
• Public transport including a bus, rail and river transit network
• Public bike system
• Shared cars and, of course
• Taxi services

For private motorists, there is a well-managed system of central area parking and peripheral park-and-ride, and a Low Emission Zone is in operation in the city centre.

There are further points of transport interest across the region – too many to mention here, but lots to see and learn by visiting the city.

Transport Policy and Planning in Antwerp and Flanders

Both the city and the region have a comprehensive approach to transport planning:

• https://www.slimnaarantwerpen.be/en/about-us/antwerp-transport-region-2030-roadmap 
• https://www.vlaanderen.be/en/mobility/way-to-go-flemish-expertise-in-mobility-and-public-works

Transport policy planning and expertise is developed and taught at the conference host University of Antwerp, with specialist maritime and aviation expertise centred in C-MAT, a joint Centre of Excellence of the Antwerp Management School and the Faculty of Business and Economics.

** European Transport Conference 2024 – early booking opens this month **

Get the best direct booking price at this year’s conference with early booking available until 30th June. The early booking brochure will be available on the AET website from Friday 26th April.

Information is available for conference details and how to book. For corporate and large group bookings, also exhibitor and sponsor opportunities – contract Sabrina Winter or call on +44 1564 793 552.

© Association for European Transport in association with City of Antwerp and Flanders Region: board@aetransport.org