European cities strive to develop densely, limiting urban sprawl and increasing the opportunities forsustainable mix‐used neighbourhoods. These same cities are growing fast, and available space islimited. Brownfield development can function as an important tool for cities by allowing the city todevelop further within city boundaries. The main barriers for brownfield development are highredevelopment costs, difficulties obtaining financial support and uncertain demand. Sustainable urbanmobility significantly affects social, environmental, and economic urban development. Decreasing cardependency and focussing on walking, cycling and public transport will help cities increase economicgrowth whilst improving the quality of life.Very little is known about the relation between brownfield development and sustainable urbanmobility planning. This paper presents an exploratory case study in the area of AmsterdamBuiksloterham. The aim is to find out what the effect of (a lack of) sustainable urban mobility is on thebrownfield development in the case of Amsterdam Buiksloterham.Data is gathered through archival records, document analysis, and observations within the case studyarea of Buiksloterham. The empirical data is analysed based on the needs, opportunities, ability model,and the theory of planned behaviour.The results conclude that a lack of accessibility by walking, cycling and public transport is likely to havecontributed to the late development of Amsterdam Buiksloterham. Also, the car‐centric layout of theneighbourhood does not attract new visitors, inhabitants or entrepreneurs. This attractiveness isessential to overcome the barriers of brownfield development. Especially with the increased costs andrisks, demand must be fixed.Future research can further elaborate by researching walking and cycling as catalysers in brownfielddevelopment projects comparable to transit‐oriented development. Also, the role of a psychologicalbarrier on urban development and the social effects of a cycling bridge are areas where furtherelaboration is needed.