SOCIETAL IMPACT
of the Knowledge Quarter in Zuidas
Zuidas is a place where research facilities, knowledge development and business
A setting like this is a magnet for talent and
enterprise are all concentrated within a single square mile. But what’s brewing inside
knowledge-intensive startups and scaleups,
all those big buildings around Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam on De Boelelaan? This
and offers a rich ecosystem for academic
corner of Zuidas, home to VU and the Amsterdam UMC (until recently, VUmc) is called
research spinoffs. The Zuidas Knowledge
the Knowledge Quarter and has all the ingredients to bring even more dynamism and
Quarter’s unique innovative climate is an
vitality to the district. The proximity of cutting edge research infrastructure, thousands
integral contributor to the economy of the
of scientists, tens of thousands of students and global companies offer a climate where
Amsterdam metropolitan region and that of
knowledge-intensive businesses and institutions can develop and flourish.
the Netherlands as a whole.
UNIQUE INNOVATIVE CLIMATE
the coming years, based on the premise that
Part of the knowledge intensive ecosystem
What is needed now is the space to make this
students, young (and seasoned) professionals
on Zuidas, consist of the specialized
happen. Substantial investments will be made
and scientists thrive in a vital urban setting
research facilities on VU Campus where
in developing the Knowledge Quarter over
in close proximity to innovative enterprise.
various research groups work together.
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