Zijstraten

Zijstraten, Dutch for side streets, are secondary streets within urban networks that run alongside or between main thoroughfares. They provide access to residential blocks, local businesses, and public spaces, and help distribute traffic away from arterial roads.

In street hierarchy, zijstraten complement hoofdstraten by absorbing local trips, enabling neighborhood circulation, and contributing to a more navigable urban fabric. They are typically narrower than main streets, have lower speed limits, and often feature on-street parking, residential entrances, and frequent pedestrian crossings. The design commonly emphasizes pedestrians and cyclists, sometimes at the expense of through-vehicle capacity.

Urban planning uses zijstraten to create livable neighborhoods. Measures such as traffic calming, one-way restrictions, bollards, or limited vehicular access protect resident privacy, reduce noise, and enhance safety while maintaining access for residents and service vehicles.

Historically, zijstraten developed as towns expanded and roads evolved from medieval paths into modern grids. In contemporary planning, they are evaluated for safety, accessibility, and their role in sustainable mobility, including bicycle networks and public transit access, while preserving street life and local commerce.

See also: street network, traffic calming, pedestrian zones, urban design, Netherlands urban planning.