Sustainability in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area amsterdam metropolitan area
Green Metropole
greenmetropole.nl
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
5
BIOBASED ACTIVITIES
6
MOBILITY
12
SMART GRIDS
19
DISTRICT HEATING NETWORKS 22 THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
26
AND THERE IS MORE...
32
This is a joint publication by the authorities of the 足Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, coordinated by the 足Sustainability initiative and the Amsterdam Economic Board. Amsterdam, June 2014 www.metropoolregioamsterdam.nl www.amsterdameconomicboard.com Content & editing: Counter Content Concept & design: Counter Creatives Photography: Raymond van Zessen, Ray Photography, p. 2, 12, 22, 24, 25, 29, 30, 32, 33 Investing in your future. This project is partly 足financed by the European Regional 足Development Fund of the European Union.
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4
INTRODUCTION
as ama for short. The area extends from
quality of the living environment at as
we are able to demonstrate definitively,
IJmuiden to Lelystad and from Purmerend
high a level as possible. For this reason,
both nationally and internationally, that
Shorter lines of communication, enhanced coordination, mutual understanding and faster decision- making. These are a number of practical consequences of what started in late 1999 with the Muiderslot conferences, continued in the 2000s with the Noordvleugel conferences and is since 2008 commonly known as the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. It was in the process of defining a vision for 2040 of what was then referred to as the Noordvleugel (“North Wing”) that the term Amsterdam Metropolitan Area was used for the first time. In short, it is a collaboration between different authorities all working on a shared vision in the areas of economy, urban regeneration, spatial planning, accessibility and sustainability.
to Haarlemmermeer. The sum total of all
a Sustainability steering committee was
the ama is a sustainable metropolis which
the economic activity in the Amsterdam
immediately established at the inception
is fully-prepared for the challenges of the
Metropolitan Area places it among the
of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Region’s
future. For more information, please visit
top five economically strongest regions
development as an administrative area.
WWW.METROPOOLREGIOAMSTERDAM.NL
in Europe. The objective of this intensive
The most important objective is that of
cooperation is to maintain and strengthen
working towards an energy-neutral region.
this internationally competitive position.
All ama partners are working very hard on initiatives which promote sustainability,
In spite of the considerable consequences
from economic and ecological, but also
of the economic crisis, prospects are
social and community perspectives.
good. A great deal of international business activity and a friendly business
In the context of five different topics
climate, along with good international
(district heating networks, biobased activ-
accessibility, a high standard of living, a
ities, the built environment, mobility and
very diverse range of businesses and the
smart grids) we will describe a selection of
presence of a strong knowledge economy
inspiring projects. Some of these projects
with many highly-qualified people, make
are being undertaken in cooperation with
the ama into a very attractive region.
large knowledge institutions or corporations, but many of these initiatives have
However, one side effect of a flourishing
been started by citizens themselves who
economy is high energy consumption,
see the vital importance of sustainability.
high carbon emissions and a negative
It is with great pride that we present
impact on the ecology and the living
you with a compilation of these fantastic
The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area com-
environment of the people who are
projects. After all, they leave no room
prises 36 municipalities, the provinces
residing and/or working within the ama.
for doubt – with this huge level of com-
of North Holland and Flevoland, and the
Our challenge is to limit this impact to
mitment and involvement on the part of
City Region of Amsterdam, and is known
a minimum and, in doing so, sustain the
citizens, entrepreneurs and authorities,
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6
BIOBASED ACTIVITIES
Biobased Connections (bbc) strives to
with the Chamber of Commerce and the City
connect parties efficiently and effectively
of Amsterdam Waste and Energy Company.
The subject of “biobased activities” finds its origin in the concept of the Circular & Biobased Economy. The idea behind a circular economy is that products are designed to avoid the generation of waste. Products are re-used in such a way that waste flows are minimised. The biobased economy is characterised by the most efficient use possible of crops and biomass for food, cattle feed, materials, chemicals, energy and fuel. The objective of the biobased economy is to decrease dependency on fossil fuel reserves, such as oil and coal. Other drivers are a general impetus toward increased sustainability and the economic opportunities which the use of renewables and biological raw materials opens up for trade and industry. Because the Netherlands has a leading position in both agrofood and chemistry worldwide, the subject of the biobased economy is high on the agenda – not least within the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area.
in order to give concrete shape to the
Knowledge institutions such as the Univer-
biobased economy within the ama. In this
sity of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University of
project, leaders in the field of biobased
Applied Science and Wageningen University
economy are working together. Parties from
(Wageningen University & Research Centre)
the business community who have joined
complete the group of key players. Put
this project include Schiphol Airport and
briefly, bbc employs three mechanisms
Port of Amsterdam. From the government
designed to optimise cooperation between
side, the municipalities of Amsterdam,
all these parties. Firstly, bbc creates the
Amstelveen, Haarlemmermeer and
right conditions for an ecosystem in which,
Aalsmeer play an important role, together
thanks to interdisciplinary collaboration, new connections can be forged. In addition, bbc facilitates the use of an independent chain director. The third and final mechanism is communication. In this, bbc plays an advisory
The projects within the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area that fall under the topic of the biobased economy are joint ventures involving the business community, knowledge institutions and authorities, also referred to as the “triple helix”. These partnerships are necessary to achieve the highest possible level of economic synergy. Only with this triple helix is the ama able to position itself as a Circular & Biobased Economy.
role, but also offers support during implementation. For more information, please visit: WWW.GREENMETROPOLE.NL/BIOBASEDCONNECTIONS
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ACCRESS
on new ways of using energy based on
materials. Acrres is based in Lelystad and is
Acrres‘ mission is to develop, test and
these ideas and the belief that the demand
the initiative of three organisations: Applied
demonstrate the use of green raw materials
for sustainable energy is synonymous
Plant Research, the Animal Sciences Group
and closed recycling, as well as ways in
with a demand for innovation. Climate
(both of which form part of Wageningen ur)
which sustainable energy can be derived
change, increasing energy demands and
and energy company Eneco. The province
from the sun, the wind and biomass, working
the importance of energy security are the
of Flevoland and the municipality of Lelystad
together with businesses, interest groups,
spur for the establishment of acrres. Acrres
are supporters of Acrres.
authorities and the academic field. Acrres
stands for Application Centre for Renewable
wants to make new learning opportunities
RESources and is the national practical
Acrres provides access to Wageningen
available based on this. Acrres is working
centre for sustainable energy and green raw
ur’s substantial knowledge and experience relating to topics such as biofermentation and biobased economy. In addition, the organisation functions as a platform and has a testing and demonstration area comprising 1,200 hectares. This makes it possible to get large-scale projects off the ground in Lely stad, such as an operational biofermentation
8
installation for research purposes, three
De Ceuvel
wind farms and a test site for wind turbines.
A polluted, abandoned shipyard; twelve
In addition, acrres organises introductory
disused houseboats; a group of architects,
programmes, information sessions, sympo-
artists, craftsmen, photographers and media
sia and presentations for interested parties
professionals; and a new and alternative
and stakeholders. All these initiatives con-
approach to urban development. Those
tribute to the objective of encouraging new
are, in sum, the building blocks of the “De
developments in the field of sustainable
Ceuvel” project, which is taking shape on
energy and green raw materials by means of
the site of the former Buiksloterham ship-
experimentation, testing, demonstration and
yard, in the port area of North Amsterdam.
learning. Meer over acress leest u hier:
On the initiative of the City of Amsterdam
WWW.ACRRES.NL
and the Noordwaarts project office, the site
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has been made available for this innovative scheme for a period of ten years. “De Ceuvel� was proposed by a very diverse and interesting group of people, who want to turn this part of Amsterdam into a creative space. The initiative has already received a lot of media attention: It was featured on the television programme Tegenlicht on the vpro channel, as well as in the Algemeen Dagblad, De Volkskrant, Het Parool and De Telegraaf daily newspapers. On the website DECEUVEL.TUMBLR.COM you can read about which steps have been taken, and will be taken, to make the area habit-
DELVA Landscape Architects and space&matter
able again.
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MOBILITY To strengthen the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, accessibility is of key importance. Good accessibility usually brings with it greater mobility. This increasing mobility of people and goods can also have all sorts of undesired effects – think of problems such as land usage, energy scarcity, the impact of CO2 on the climate, other harmful emissions and the nuisance caused by traffic
and transport. The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area aims to improve accessibility, but in a sustainable fashion. This can be achieved in a number of ways – for example, the use of new forms of communication keys into the growing awareness with regard to mobility. Encouraging the use of energy-efficient means of transportation, such as bicycles and public transport, is another way. In addition, innovations in transport technology, the use of sustainable energy sources and more sustainable use of materials play a significant role as well. Finally, the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area also aims for the harmonious integration of the infrastructure in both urban and rural areas.
home or at work, this usually isn’t a problem.
amaahead of other regions economically.
What’s more, these charging points usually
A good example of how the ama-e project
come with the vehicle and are therefore rela-
encourages electric driving is the help it
tively inexpensive. The challenge is situating
offers municipal governments with calls for
charging points in public places. To facilitate
tender for charging points. For individual
this, the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area
municipalities, creating their own charging
Electric project (ama-e) kicked off in 2012. The focus of this working group is on sharing knowledge, rolling out a network of charging points and encouraging an increase in the number of electric cars. Different municipalities learn from each other, which speeds up the roll-out of electric driving. This not only benefits the air quality, but also puts the
Metropoolregio Amsterdam Elektrisch With more than 35,000 electric cars on the roads in the Netherlands and the expectation that this number will rise considerably, there is an increasing demand for public charging points. Most types of e-cars have to recharge after 100 to 200 kilometres. At
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infrastructure is usually not an option. The
munity. A concrete result of this is that 100
the countryside location make the route
issue is a new one and the costs of charging
electric taxis will be operating on the route
ideally suited for travel by electric bicycle
points are high, which means it often does
to and from Schiphol from autumn 2014.
or scooter. The Electric Freeway is intended
not fit into municipalities’ budgets. For this
More information about the mra-e initiative
specifically for commuters from Almere,
reason, ama-e combines their forces and
can be found on WWW.MRAE.NL
Weesp, Muiden and Naarden – precisely
organises tenders for public charging points
the group that currently still makes massive
for municipalities in the provinces of North
Electric Freeway
use of the a6 and a1 motorways towards
Holland, Flevoland and Utrecht. The City of
The Electric Freeway is a more than 20 kilo-
Amsterdam, one of the reasons for the
Amsterdam and the City of Utrecht represent
metres long cycle route between Almere
daily congestion on the Hollandse Brug.
an exception: They are addressing the issue
and Amsterdam Southeast and represents
But the a1 too is and will remain a busy
of their charging points with tenders of their
a sustainable, fast, safe and comfortable
traffic artery where traffic jams are not
own. ama-e also targets the business com-
alternative to driving. The wide road and
uncommon. The Electric Freeway project is part of the Optimising Use programme (WWW.BETERBENUTTEN.NL/MRA) by the Ministry
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of Infrastructure and the Environment. In
The Fuel Cell Bus and clean buses
this programme, the Dutch government,
In Amsterdam, two hybrid fuel cell buses
regional authorities and the business
are in operation on line 22. These vehicles
community are working together to im-
use hydrogen and batteries as their sourc-
prove accessibility in busy regions, with the
es of energy. The on-board fuel cells con-
objective of a 20% reduction in traffic at the
vert hydrogen into electricity and an elec-
busiest hotspots. The Electric Freeway is a
tric engine then does the work. In addition,
joint venture between the municipality of
the vehicles have been built with a typical
Almere and ForenZo (a mobility initiative by
characteristic of city buses in mind: Their
the Royal Dutch Touring Club). The aim is
constant braking and accelerating. For this
to get 200 commuters to begin making use
reason, the buses make use of what are
of the Electric Freeway and, in doing so, to
known as Supercaps. These are capacitors
deliberately leave their cars at home.
which can quickly store and release elec-
115 15
trical energy. The buses use the current
Mokum Mariteam
generated when braking to accelerate,
“Cargo through the canals, on clean
which makes them extra fuel-efficient.
and quiet power” – that is the mission
Together with the storage of energy in the
of Mokum Mariteam. The City Supplier,
form of batteries, the Supercaps ensure
Mokum Mariteam’s vessel, was christened
environmentally clean buses. The electric
and launched in 2010. The ship, which
engine is quiet and emission-free and does
is 20 metres long, 4.25 metres wide and
not produce any fine particles. The only
has a net volume of 85m³, is fully electric,
thing these buses emit is water vapour.
powered by two generators. With its 8 to
This project contributes to better air
10 hours of cruising, the City Supplier can
quality in Amsterdam. To further improve
easily spend a day on the city’s waterways
the air quality, the Municipal Executive in
without producing emissions. The ship is
April 2014 agreed a subsidy for the early
aimed at commissioners and customers
replacement of another 34 buses operated
who are active around the canal belt and
by municipal public transport operator
want to obtain their supplies in a smarter,
gvb. With this, the City of Amsterdam is
cleaner and quieter way. Another target
taking a significant step towards achieving
group is comprised of the shippers and
European air quality standards, which the
suppliers in the logistics chain – some of
city must be compliant with in 2015.
whom are customers already – who are seeking to move part of their transportation onto the water. Recently, the City Supplier has been used for the transportation of topped trees from the RAI exhibition centre, the maintenance of a bridge and the renovation of a crane at Entrepotdok. Visit WWW.MOKUMMARITEAM.NL for more information about this innovative method of transportation.
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SMART GRIDS HOW ELECTRICITY IS BECOMING SUSTAINABLE A residential neighbourhood, offices, a wind farm, a power station and generators. These are the protagonists in a story about electricity supply and demand. In the past few years, we’ve been using more and more large machines on a large scale in daily life that need electricity – but that, thankfully, can generate it as well. Some of these machines cause great peaks and troughs in our demand for electricity. For example, we generate electricity with solar panels in the early part of the day, but it is at the end of the working day that we collectively plug in our electric cars. Smart grids are based on the idea that machines have to be able to monitor their energy requirements themselves, to ensure they can supply themselves with the right amount of power. Decen tralised, sustainable and smart. “Smart grids” is the umbrella term
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for a technology which answers the question of how electricity supply and demand can be regulated in the most efficient way at a local level. Local initiatives by citizens and businesses are the driver for a transition in the usage and sharing of energy. We can only succeed in developing a sustainable energy system for the region by working together intensively. Smart Grids
is doing this with a number of programmes which have already proven their worth, such as Almere Smart Society, Amsterdam Smart City and REloadIT in Zaandam – initiatives in which the smart use of energy is the underlying theme.
programme is a concentration of businesses, services, knowledge and facilities around the collection, storage, provision of access to, sharing, editing and visualisation of big data. Why Almere? Almere is well-positioned to grow into the data capital of the Netherlands. There is space; there is energy; there are excellent ict
Almere Smart Society
facilities (broadband infrastructure, data
The Almere Smart Society programme
centres and computing facilities). Almere
has been conceived in collaboration with
has a growing ict sector, an innovative
international key players in the field of
health care sector and is ambitious and
information processing, data and ict. This
willing to invest. The perfect preconditions
119 19
to develop the vision of an ecosystem of
in the mobility sector. More information
Area, Amsterdam Smart City (asc) was
companies and educational and research
about the Almere Smart Society can be
established in 2009 – a unique partnership
institutions which will expand knowledge
found here: WWW.ALMERESMARTSOCIETY.NET.
between businesses, the authorities, knowl-
around big data and develop and offer
edge institutions and Amsterdam’s residents.
a broad range of services. With this, the
Amsterdam Smart City
asc believes in a habitable, hospitable city,
programme expects to generate a great
Smart lighting, ultra-fast internet,
one in which it is pleasant to live, work and
deal of economic activity and in doing so,
electrically-powered water transport,
relax. asc was initiated by the Amsterdam
create new jobs for Almere, enabling it to
augmented reality and joint ownership –
Economic Board, the City of Amsterdam,
become a national and international centre
these are all smart developments which
the Liander utility company and telecommu-
for big data. The Smart Society’s sustain-
will be, and in many cases already are, part
nications provider kpn. In five years, it has
able character rests mainly in the smart
of the daily reality of everyone living in the
grown into a platform with over 100 partners
use of ict, for example to reduce energy
Netherlands. In Amsterdam, collaboration
who are active in more than 50 innovative
consumption in the built environment and
is taking place in projects in the fields of
projects, which include initiatives to improve
smart areas, smart living, smart society and
sustainability in one high street and several
smart economy.
recreation grounds and neighbourhoods. Want to know more? AMSTERDAMSMARTCITY.COM
A Smart City is a city in which social and
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technological networks and solutions ensure
RELoadIT Zaanstad
i.e. energy prices are heavily dependent on
accelerated, sustainable economic growth.
The REloadIT project, which came to an end
supply and demand.
This improves the quality of life in the city. To
in 2013, concentrated on the electric vehicle
achieve this in the Amsterdam Metropolitan
fleet of the municipality of Zaanstad over a
For the car users and the fleet manager, a
period of three years. The energy require-
booking system was set up that was tailored
ments of the 16 official electric cars be-
specifically to electric cars, taking into ac-
longing to the municipality of Zaanstad – in
count the charging time of the batteries and
other words, the charging of their batteries
the car’s operating range. The municipality of
– had to be coordinated with the supply of
Zaanstad’s environmental policy officer had
sustainable energy, such as solar panels and
direct insight into the energy that was gener-
wind turbines, as smartly as possible. The
ated sustainably and the proportion of it that
variation in energy costs played a role here,
was used to charge the batteries.
121 21
DISTRICT HEATING NETWORKS
IJmond Regional District Heating Network
dialogue with the province of North Holland’s
Tata Steel is one of the largest and most
Servicepoint Sustainable Energy, the munic-
well-known industrial enterprises in the
ipality of Velsen, energy network company
District heating networks are underground systems of pipes which transport hot water to supply customers with heating. These networks enable large-scale fossil fuel savings. Especially when the heating system is sustainable – or will become so over time – this is something from which all customers will be able to benefit.
Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. For years,
Alliander, energy service company Dalkia
various parties have sought to connect up
and the Environmental Service of the Region
with the former Hoogovens steel mills in
IJmond. These and a number of other parties
order to make use of the residual heat that
will look into how supply and demand can
is released during the steel-production
be brought together to achieve substantial
processes. In the summer of 2013, Tata Steel
energy savings across the entire region. In
began conducting research into the harness-
March 2014, a partnership agreement was
ing of residual heat and ways in which they
finalised to this effect. More information can
could make use of this heat energy them-
be found on the homepage of the munici-
selves or possibly offer it on a commercial
pality of Velsen. WWW.VELSEN.NL/MEER-NIEUWS/
basis. To this end, Tata Steel entered into a
SAMENWERKINGSOVEREENKOMST-ONTWIKKELINGREGIONAAL-WARMTENET-IJMOND.HTM
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Open and smart energy network in
are working together to link the district
Zaanstad
heating network that is to be constructed
The municipality of Zaanstad, the province
to the main electricity grid. In addition to
of North Holland, Zaans Medical Centre,
residual heat, electricity surpluses can also
market players and housing associations.
be incorporated into the district heating
Around 25 different organisations altogether
network. Using a heat pump, the electricity
are working on an innovative energy net-
is efficiently converted into heat. This way,
work, which combines residual heat and
the district heating network serves as a
electricity. The use of residual heat in and of
buffer for the electricity grid, enabling
itself is not new and is already taking place
optimum advantage to be taken of
in several other municipalities. The special
fluctuations in price, production and elec-
thing about the approach Zaanstad is taking
tricity consumption. A temporary surplus
is that a range of different interested parties
of electricity can, for example, be used to
123 23
produce inexpensive heat. Countries such
GreenPort North-Holland North
GreenPort nhn region and the Dutch gov-
as Germany and Denmark already have
GreenPort North-Holland North is one of
ernment, with the objective of continuing
extensive experience with this approach;
the most versatile agribusiness areas in the
to make business operations in the sector
in the Netherlands, however, it is relatively
Netherlands. The region has a production
more sustainable. Developing alternative
new. More information can be found on the
value of approximately 3 to 3.5 billion
energy sources, such as the use of district
website of one of the organisations in-
euros, has approximately 91,000 hectares
heating networks, forms part of this plan.
volved in the initiative:
of farmland at its disposal and employs
Want to know more about GreenPort
NL/MOZARD/!SUITE05.SCHERM1070?MNWB=830&MNW-
20,000 people. In the context of its knowl-
North-Holland North? Visit p WWW.GREEN-
C=1&MNCH=8060645
edge and innovation programme, Green-
PORTNHN.NL
HTTPS://WWW.ZAANSTAD.
Port nhn has an important relationship with the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. The area’s diversity sets it apart from other greenports; in addition, it has great development potential. The greenhouse horticulture sector forms an important part of its activities. If this sector wants to make the energy supply more sustainable and make use of smart energy grids, it is necessary to find a solution for the external supply of CO2. Plants need CO2 for optimal growth. For this reason, many companies add extra CO2 to the production process. Flue gases from combined heat and power (cho) units or boilers are often used for this, including in the summer. Right now, this still requires a lot of energy – energy which could also come from the residual heat from a district heating network. Recently, a Green Deal has been struck between the sector, the
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THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Profit from your Property
Property (“Winst uit je Woning”) initiative was
The older the property, the greater the
set up. This enables homeowners in Haar-
savings. Measures such as installing insula-
lemmermeer, Amstelveen and Diemen to
The topic “The built environment” comprises all the projects, measures and initiatives that have the objective of making buildings and public spaces more energy- efficient or entirely “energy-neutral” – whether this be residential properties, schools, offices or public spaces. Energy is precious. For this reason, investing in energy-saving measures is essential. This will ensure housing costs remain under control and comfort levels increase. Most projects apply to existing buildings and include investing in insulation. But new builds, too, have an important place within this topic. It is here that energy issues can be addressed at an early stage when plans are being drawn up for new development in an area – for example by laying out the lots in such a way that optimum use can be made of solar energy. With the built environment as its central focus, private individuals,
tion (for the facade, floor and roof), a solar
take part in auctions, giving them, for exam-
boiler and double glazing do not only save
ple, the opportunity to collectively purchase
money, but also increase the level of com-
insulation material at a lower price.
fort. But these measures always require an
More information: WWW.WINSTUITJEWONING.NL
investment that precedes the future gains. To lower this threshold, the Profit from your
The Green Mosquito The Green Mosquito is the public platform of the municipality of Haarlem, where residents, organisations and businesses can exchange
businesses and organisations are working together on various energy projects. Private individuals connect up with each other by means of residents’ or homeowner associations. The business community (builders, energy companies, property owners and housing associations) plays an active role, with authorities within the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area often providing support, whether this be in the form of a financial contribution, loans, specially tailored regulations, knowledge-sharing, or – on a very practical level – making conference space available.
ideas about achieving a better climate. The objective is for all of Haarlem to be climate- neutral in 2030. Climate-neutral means: A city in which energy use on balance does not result in the release of CO2 or greenhouse
127 27
gases. The municipal government is proac-
already purchases 100% green electricity.
tive in working towards this goal and wants
On the Green Mosquito website, you can
to have already achieved it within its own
find a substantial collection of practical
organisation by 2015. A few examples: Haar-
energy-saving tips. The Green Mosquito
lem is working on energy-efficient public
also ventures into the city; annually, it
lighting; the municipal vehicle fleet is driv-
organises the “Haarlem Heavenly Houses
ing on natural gas and wants to use green
Trail” (“Haarlemse Heerlijke Huizenroute”).
gas for this in future; and the municipality
Residents open their sustainable properties to the public and in doing so, awaken the enthusiasm of other Haarlemmers. Check: WWW.DEGROENEMUG.NL Park 20|20 Park 20|20 is situated directly alongside the a4 motorway in Hoofddorp. This sustainable, full-service office park is being built in line with the Cradle to Cradle®
park in the Netherlands and will be devel-
in Lelystad’s Zuiderzeewijk district, under
philosophy. The essence of the Cradle
oped in different stages. More information:
normal conditions of use, generates as much
to Cradle® (c2c) principle is the notion
WWW.PARK2020.COM
energy as is being used. With this project, the
that “waste is food”. This means that all
28
municipality wants to research the possibili-
materials can be reused after their initial
Hoek van ’t IJ model home
ties for granting loans to private individuals
lifespan or returned harmlessly to nature.
In Lelystad, a number of construction compa-
under favourable conditions to finance
Park 20|20 employs a range of sustainable
nies have taken the initiative of creating what
energy-saving measures. As soon as the work
and c2c technologies, including solar
is called a zero-meter-reading dwelling. The
has been completed, the property will be
and green energy, grey water and black
property on Hoek van ’t IJ 20 will be given
opened to the public so that homeowners
water purification, green roofs and walls,
on loan to four construction companies for a
can get energy-saving ideas.
c2c-certified materials, waste reduction
period of four years. Together they are tasked
Want to know more? Visit WWW.BOUWENDNED-
and dismountable building materials. Park
with ensuring that, through the implementa-
ERLAND.NL/NIEUWS/819112/NULOPDEMETER-TIMMERT-
20|20 is the first Cradle to Cradle® office
tion of energy-saving measures, the property
AAN-DE-WEG
129 29
Climate-neutral neighbourhoods in
as possible. For example, materials are
will be connected to the District Heating
Amsterdam
recycled and waste is limited. Stage one of
Network) and in the neighbourhood itself.
Two fully climate-neutral neighbourhoods
the Overtoom City Garden was completed in
With this, the Houthaven district acts as an
are being developed in Amsterdam. The
April 2014, making it the first climate-neutral
example for the rest of the Netherlands
Overtoom City Garden (“De Stadstuin
neighbourhood in the Netherlands.
and has been recognised as being an
Overtoom”) project will entail the construc-
“Excellent Area” by the Dutch government.
tion of 470 new residential units in the New
Houthaven is a largely pedestrianised,
The Houthaven project will consist of 2,000
West district, all of which are located next to
urban neighbourhood with narrow streets
residential units and facilities such as a
or in the city garden. The project is aimed
and a lot of space for foliage and water.
primary school and a grammar school.
at a new generation of residents who place
Energy is generated sustainably, using
More information about these neighbour-
a high value on sustainability. They will not
the Trias Energetica model: A promising
hoods can be found n
only live in sustainable homes that both save
package of energy-saving and sustainable
TOOM.NL
energy and water, but they will also know
measures, including sustainable building
that the development of the Overtoom
shells and sustainable energy generation
The Green Canals
City Garden has taken place as sustainably
via the district heating network (Houthaven
The Green Canals (“De Groene Grachten”)
WWW.STADSTUINOVER-
and WWW.HOUTHAVEN.NL.
is an initiative by Wubbo Ockels, who until
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his death was himself a resident of the
been prepared for the canal-dwellers. Using
Amsterdam canal belt. While he was making
this, residents and owners can take a first step
his property more sustainable in 2012 and
towards making their property more sus-
looking ahead to the 400-year anniversary of
tainable. In 2013, The Green Canals signed
the canals one year later, he was inspired to
a “Green Deal” with the Dutch government
extend his initiative further and demonstrate
for the further upscaling of its activities and
that it need not remain limited to his own
expertise. Residents and homeowners can
property. As of this year, six properties on
turn to The Green Canals for things such as
Nieuwe Prinsengracht have been made more
sustainable project management, research
sustainable. The second aim of the project
into historic buildings, advice on saving
is to spread the knowledge that has been
energy and information pertaining to sustain-
gained. In addition to organising the Amster-
able projects. On WWW.DEGROENEGRACHTEN.NL
dam Solar Boat Parade, an Online Menu has
you can find more information
131 31
AND THERE IS MORE... Global Sustainability Solutions Center In January 2013, the Global Institute of Sustainability (gios), which is linked to Arizona State University (asu), was opened in Haarlemmermeer. This international platform is a partnership between the municipality of Haarlemmermeer and the American university and is the first of three knowledge centres worldwide for applied research by asu. These centres bear the name asu Global Sustainability Solutions Center (gssc). The other centres will be located in Hong Kong and a location in
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Latin America to be determined at a later
Amsterdam Connecting Trade
(the corridor between Greenport Aalsmeer,
of ict applications. More information can be
date. The goal of the centre is to tackle
Amsterdam Connecting Trade (act) is a
Schiphol Airport and Port of Amsterdam),
found on:
and solve persistent problems related to
programme by the Schiphol Area Develop-
the act programme was conceived with the
WWW.SCHIPHOLTRADEPARK.NL/OVER-AMSTERDAM-
sustainability, in which it sees the collab-
ment Company (sadc). The sadc focuses on
objective of developing this area into a prime
CONNECTING-TRADE
oration between universities, businesses,
regional, national and international logistics
international location for the logistics sector
social organisations, communities and
companies, particularly in the aerospace,
and related enterprises. Projects which will
Green Metropole
governmental bodies as a powerful tool.
fashion, food & flowers, life sciences and
be carried out in the next few years include
Green Metropole helps entrepreneurs in
The centre is in perfect accordance with
high tech sectors. For these sectors, the
the construction of a freight link with hsl-
the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area to turn
the municipality of Haarlemmermeer’s
sadc is developing a coherent portfolio of
South, an Uninterrupted Logistics Connec-
sustainable and innovative propositions into
ambition to become the Silicon Valley of
high-quality places of work. sadc has four
tion (“Ongestoorde Logistieke Verbinding”)
healthy businesses. It is a joint venture be-
sustainability
shareholders: the municipality of Haar-
between FloraHolland (Aalsmeer flower
tween Green it, the University of Amsterdam,
Want to know more? Visit SUSTAINABILITYSOLU-
lemmermeer, the City of Amsterdam, the
auction) and the airport apron and Seamless
vu University Amsterdam, New Energy Dock
TIONS.ASU.EDU/PROGRAMS/GLOBALCENTERS
province of North Holland and the Schiphol
Connections, a project which focuses on
and the Amsterdam Economic Board. Thanks
Group. For the “Logistics Western Axis”
optimising the logistics chain through the use
to this initiative, 60 entrepreneurs working in
133 33
the area of sustainability are receiving active
funding platform of which Green Metropole
support. In addition, new sustainable projects
is one of the founding partners. This platform
are being instigated, sustainable businesses
has already managed to win the commit-
are given a home and network meetings,
ment of 5,000 investors, thanks to whom
workshops and events are being organised.
projects such as the Waka Waka Power (a
One of the most eye-catching events is the
phone charger and torch powered by solar
Festival of Cools (WWW.FESTIVALOFCOOLS.NL). This
energy) and Greeniant (an app for saving
event, which takes place on the Netherlands
energy) were able to get off the ground
National Day of Sustainability (10th October), gives around 70 entrepreneurs in the sustainability field a stage on which to present their work. On the New Energy Docks premises, everyone with a healthy interest in sustain-
and the well-known Snappcar, for example
way and is for this reason striving toward an
ability can be informed about the most
(an initiative for car sharing among private
energy-neutral Almere in 2022. The cooper-
innovative and green products. How about,
individuals), managed to accumulate more
ative is doing this not only by being a source
for example, the fully biodegradable baby
than €350,000. Visit WWW.GREENMETROPOLE.NL
of inspiration for sustainability initiatives, but
shoes made by Oat Shoes, from which a real
for more information about these projects.
also by providing some concrete benefits. A
tree of life can grow after use? Or the bags
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good example is the local generation of green
from Naomi’s Atelier, made from old banners
The Green Giant
energy. As part of this, private individuals
previously used in construction? But there
The Green Giant (“De Groene Reus”) is
receive a collective discount on solar panels.
are also companies who have found a good
Almere’s sustainable energy cooperative. It
The Green Giant takes care of the entire
mix between sustainability and development
is a joint venture between residents, entre-
process, from initial purchase all the way
aid. Moyee Coffee is an example of this. The
preneurs and social organisations, with the
through to completed installation. Businesses
company is involved in setting up a complete
mission of initiating and facilitating sustainable
can benefit from this as well. A Green Giant
coffee production chain in Ethiopia in order
projects which contribute to a democratic
expert visits company premises and provides
to contribute toward making savings on
energy transition in the province of Flevoland.
a detailed insight into their energy consump-
development aid to this country. In addition,
In addition, The Green Giant wants to make a
tion. The government facilitates this citizens’
the Festival of Cools previously gave space
societal difference for residents and businesses
initiative wherever possible.
to OnePlanetCrowd, the sustainable crowd-
and change the world in a truly sustainable
More information about The Green Giant can
135 35
be found on WWW.DEGROENEREUS.NL Watt by Watt The Haarlem-based project Watt by Watt (“Watt voor Watt”) was launched by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, with the objective of gaining experience in large-scale energy saving projects. Put briefly, it is an energy saving project which gives Haarlemmers the option of implementing energy-saving measures at home. The initiators have pre-calculated that an average household will pay around €60,000 in energy costs over the next fi fteen years. Entire neighbourhoods, such as the Boerhaavewijk, Ramplaankwartier and Leidsebuurt, are undergoing large-scale maintenance and energy-saving measures in partnership with the housing associations. In a number of neighbourhoods, this is happening under the direction of the residents themselves. Watt by Watt is linking up all these initiatives and giving advice on saving energy. The project aims to improve the energy ratings of at least 1,500 residential units in Haarlem by two steps within two years, or get them up to a minimum of a b label. More information can be found on WWW.DEGROENEMUG.NL/WATTVOORWATT
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