Bereikbaar

Bereikbaar is a Dutch adjective meaning able to be reached or contacted; in English it is rendered as reachable or accessible. It is used to describe places, services, or people that can be reached by transportation routes or by communication channels. In urban planning and transport, bereikbaar refers to how easily a location can be reached by car, public transit, cycling, or walking, and is a key component of the concept "bereikbaarheid" (accessibility or reach).

The term derives from the verb bereiken, meaning to reach, with the suffix -baar indicating capability. The related noun bereikbaarheid denotes the overall ease of reaching a place or engaging with a service. In Dutch, the adjective declines with gender and number as nodig and range of forms, while the noun is used to discuss accessibility metrics, planning, and policy.

Common contexts for gebruik (usage) include descriptions of infrastructure, such as a neighborhood that is goed bereikbaar by train and bus, or a helpline described as telefonisch bereikbaar. Bereikbaar can also describe individuals or organizations, for example a customer service desk that is easily reachable by phone or email.

In policy and business, bereikbaarheid is often assessed through indicators like travel time, service frequency, availability windows, and connectivity to other networks. It plays a significant role in regional development, commuting patterns, and emergency planning, where improved bereikbaarheid can influence economic activity and quality of life.

See also: bereikbaarheid, reachable, accessibility, transport planning.