Sustainability in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area

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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...

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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

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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-

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

30

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

32

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

34

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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