Magazine Amstelveen InZicht_edition november2019_uk

VOLUME 03 - NOVEMBER 2019

R E N O VA T I N G T O G E T H E R Residents speak to alderman Raat A TOUR AROUND THE MARKET What do you think of the Stadshart?

P A T H É O N T H E WA Y ‘New impulse cultural strip’

Erik van Langen, ecologist with the Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat)

‘Regard for animals, trees and plants during the expansion of the A9’ www.AmstelveenInZicht.nl

HĂŠ, huizenzoeker!

App Jennifer 06 57 079 294 www.rabobank.nl/amstelenvecht

P R E FA C E

IRIS BOXEM AT OUDERKERKERLAAN JUNCTION

INVESTING IN CONNECTIONS Last summer, every effort was put into the conversion of the Amstelveenlijn.

When I returned from holiday in late August, I was interested to see whether the teams succeeded in having the tram operational again within six weeks.

They did! A considerable achievement, of which we are very proud. I got goosebumps going under the junctions in the tram for the first time. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to contribute to such a great project. It was also nice to see that the residents around the sites were very understanding.

Whereas we caused regular nuisance, they brought the builders extra work vitamins in the form of ice cream and cookies.

The work at the Ouderkerkerlaan junction has now begun. This is a good example of a project which brings all the Amstelveen InZicht partners together. When Rijkswaterstaat starts lowering the A9, the municipality of

OPENING HOURS AMSTELVEEN INZICHT Wednesday: 12.00 - 17.00

Experts Amstelveenlijn and Stadshart present Thursday: 12.00 - 17.00

Experts A9 present Friday: 09.00 - 17.00 1st Saturday of the month: 12.00 - 17.00 WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE? Stadsplein 103 1181 ZM Amstelveen Twitter.com/AveenInZicht

T 020 - 540 48 98 E inzicht@amstelveen.nl W amstelveeninzicht.nl

Facebook.com/AmstelveenInZicht

Amstelveen would like to see good traffic circulation at this junction. The Transport Region would like to see more space for buses and a smooth transfer between buses and trams. Finally, the junction will also be safer; we are building a bicycle tunnel for cyclists.

Thanks to effective cooperation, the contractor has now started work. A win-win solution for all parties and the best solution for travellers and local residents. Connecting is the core activity of the Transport Region. We invest in literal connections, like the Ouderkerkerlaan junction, and we are the principal for the conversion of the Amstelveenlijn. But we also make sure that governmental organizations find each other in a figurative sense. Together with the 15 municipalities in the Amsterdam (transport) region, including Amstelveen, we work together in order to maintain accessibility.

We do this by financing infrastructure projects and providing public transport in the region.

As communications consultant for the Transport Region, I enjoy making connections between the projects of the Transport Region and its partners and the public every day.

Iris Boxem, Amsterdam Transport Region Communications Consultant Infrastructure i.boxem@vervoerregio.nl AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 3

CONTENTS

10

14

18

03

P R E FA C E Iris Boxem, Amsterdam Transport Region

06

INZICHT What’s going to happen?

08

C O V E R S T O R Y - A9 Ecologist Erik van Langen on the interaction with nature

10

I N D E V E L O P M E N T - Amstelveenlijn Photographic report on the recent work

12

I N D E V E L O P M E N T - A9 and Stadshart The residents of the Meanderflats speak to alderman Herbert Raat

14

INDEVELOPMENT Sandra Steglich on the metamorphosis of the Ouderkerkerlaan junction

16

I N C O N V E R S AT I O N At the market: What do you think of the Stadshart?

18

I N D E V E L O P M E N T - Stadshart Rens Koekenbier on Pathé as a new impulse for the cultural strip

Colophon Amstelveen InZicht magazine is a publication by ZUIDMEDIA and appears twice a year commissioned

by Amstelveen InZicht. Amstelveen InZicht is an initiative of the municipality of Amstelveen, the Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat), Metro and Tram (city of Amsterdam) and the Amsterdam Transport Region.

For more information: www.amstelveeninzicht.nl

ZUIDMEDIA Van Eeghenstraat 94-3 1071 GL Amsterdam 020 - 218 22 51 www.zuid-media.nl

Would you like to advertise in Amstelveen InZicht?

Call or email Bob Oostelbos at info@zuid-media.nl

AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 5

R e n e wi ng A mst e l veen : th is is wh at’s g o ing to happen

A LOT WILL BE HAPPENING IN AND AROUND AMSTELVEEN OVER THE COMING YEARS. WE LIST THE BIGGEST DEVELOPMENTS AND MILESTONES.

Note: The schedule is subject to change.

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2019 - 2022 Reorganisation Rembrandtweg Reorganisation Stadsplein

2021 Start of construction Pathé theatre

2022 - 2024 Reorganisation of Meander + A9 connection

Beginning of 2020 Removal of trees along the A9 route in Amstelveen

From mid-2020 Beginning of (preparatory) work

End of 2026 Expansion and lowered construction of A9 BAHO complete

Now summer 2020 Conversion of Amstelveenlijn, construction of three junction fly-overs and a setup site

21 - 22 March 2020 & 25 - 26 July 2020 Tram 5 will be out of service during these weekends

Summer 2020 Beginning of education, training, and practice period

INZICHT

The Stadshart is due for renewal and improvement. A new theatre in the City Square and a fresh-food market are some of the possibilities offered by the Spatial Development of the Stadshart Concept. The proposal also lays down the scope for owners such as Unibail-Rodamco and a.s.r. to set up their plans. The aim is to create an appealing city centre, where the functions of living, shopping, restaurants and cafĂŠs, culture and work give each other a boost. Because the Stadshart is a place for every resident of Amstelveen.

The Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat) is going to expand the A9 from three to four lanes per direction between the Badhoevedorp and Holendrecht interchanges and make a track change. The work on the A9 is part of the Schiphol-Amsterdam-Almere road expansion.

The extra lanes improve traffic circulation, and with it the accessibility of the northern Randstad. The quality of life in the area will also be improved: at Amstelveen, the A9 is being built on a lower level over a section of 1.3 kilometres, with three coverings: at Oude Dorp, the Stadshart and the Bovenlandpad.

At other places along the motorway, the Directorate General is constructing fourteen kilometres of baffle boards (noise reduction).

The work is expected to start in 2020 and will be finished in late 2026.

The former express tram 51 is being converted into a safe and reliable tram connection between Amstelveen Westwijk and Amsterdam-Zuid. There will be three junction fly-overs, a setup site and new trams with low-level entries and exits. Four stops will be cancelled and two will be joined to one single stop at a new location. All other stops with be renewed. Tram 5 will also benefit from the renewal between Zuid and Stadshart.

The Amsterdam Transport Region is the principal. Metro and Tram of the Amsterdam municipality is supervising the execution. VITAL is the main contractor. The project will be carried out between 2017 and 2021.

INFORMATION MEETING

EXPANSION AND LOWER LEVEL CONSTRUCTION OF A9 BAHO Next year, the work for expanding and lowering the construction of the A9 between the Badhoevedorp and Holendrecht (A9 BAHO) interchanges will begin.

On 10 October, Rijkswaterstaat and contractor group VEENIX signed a contract for this. VEENIX was chosen because they have the best plans. Among other things for ensuring good access to Amstelveen and limiting the environmental disturbance during the execution and the expansion of the Schipholbrug. The expanded and lowered A9 will be completed by late 2026.

Information meeting Would you like to know about the preparation and the execution of the work on the A9 BAHO? Come to the information meeting, where employees of Rijkswaterstaat, VEENIX and the municipality will be present to answer questions. You don’t have to register.

We are organizing the same two meetings at different times:

End of 2020 Beginning of renewed Amstelveenlijn (line 25)

Tuesday 26 November from 19.00 to 21.00.

Wednesday 27 November from 14.00 to 16.00.

We hope to see you at Schouwburg Amstelveen!

AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 7

REGARD FOR NATURE FROM BATS AND MEADOW BIRDS TO SQUIRRELS AND TOADS: THESE RESIDENTS ALSO NEED ATTENTION DURING THE EXPANSION OF THE A9 BETWEEN THE BADHOEVEDORP AND HOLENDRECHT (A9 BAHO) INTERCHANGES. ERIK VAN LANGEN, ECOLOGIST WITH RIJKSWATERSTAAT, EXPLAINS HOW RIJKSWATERSTAAT TREATS THE ANIMALS, TREES AND PLANTS.

8 AMSTELVEEN INZICHT

COVER STORY

ERIK VAN LANGEN BESIDE TWO BAT BOXES

EXPLORING

During the expansion and lowering of the A9 BAHO, Rijkswaterstaat (RWS) is legally required to take the animals who live near the motorway into account. An important task on which Erik is getting to work, long before the construction activities: ‘As an ecologist, I am brought in during the first phase of a project, also for the A9.’

REPLANTING PLAN

Within the A9 BAHO, Erik is among other things involved in the planned tree cutting. ‘Trees have to be removed at Ouderkerk aan de Amstel for the expansion of the motorway. I’m talking to stakeholders to see how the locations where trees have already been removed can be restored after completion of the work. Our first plan was partly modified on the basis of these conversations.

We are now in the phase of developing a replanting plan for the contractor who will carry out the work on the A9. This states where the replanting is to take place and how many trees are to be replanted. Approximately 6,000 trees will also be removed along the route in Amstelveen. The exact number and location depends on VEENIX’ design , because the design and work method

‘ BATS HAVE TO BE LEFT ALONE ’

determines the number of trees that have to be removed, and therefore, how many need to be replanted. Both RWS and the contractor are committed to removing as few trees as possible and only when there is no other option. The challenge is to have the areas where trees were removed looking nice and green again later.’

BAT RELOCATION

In order to facilitate the lowered construction of the A9 BAHO, a number of houses in Oude Dorp will be demolished. But this is a bit tricky, because bats shelter in some of the houses and they are a protected species. ‘This means that we aren’t allowed to disturb them. If houses have to be demolished, one has to be sure that there aren’t any bats inside at that time. The most important condition is that we find them replacement accommodation. We have already installed about six bat boxes and that number will increase soon.

These animals - common pipistrelles - need time to settle into the boxes, so we will probably only demolish the houses in March.

Many residents won’t even notice that the bats are around. You don’t hear anything when they fly out. They fly silently and their sound is inaudible to the human ear.’

CROSSING SAFELY

Creative solutions have also been found for other animals. ‘We’ve built eco passages where the A9 passes through the Amsterdamse Bos and at the Ouderkerkerplas. A natural shelter made of rocks and tree trunks under which hedgehogs, frogs, toads, rabbits, squirrels, pine martens and otters can safely pass under the road. Attention is paid to these eco passages during the construction work on the A9: a few more will be added, and all the existing eco passages will be improved. Finally, RWS will designate extra hectares as meadow bird areas near Ouderkerk aan de Amstel as a means of nature compensation.’

AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 9

Kronenburg stop - The digging of the basin at Kronenburg has begun.

A M S T E LV E E N L I J N ACTIVITIES IN FOCUS CONVERTING THE FORMER EXPRESS TRAM 51 INTO A HIGH-QUALITY AND RELIABLE TRAM CONNECTION (LINE 25) IS A HUGE PROJECT. IN THIS PHOTOGRAPHIC REPORT, WE LOOK BACK ON THE ACTIVITIES OF LAST SUMMER.

Kronenburg stop - After two weeks of work, the sunken basin at Kronenburg is already clearly visible.

10 AMSTELVEEN INZICHT

Kronenburg stop - The steel rods for pouring concrete at Kronenburg. During these six weeks, 8,000 m³ of concrete was poured per junction fly-over: more than 53,000 full bathtubs!

INDEVELOPMENT

Uilenstede stop - The old track is being removed to make room for new tracks.

Stadshart stop - Asphalting work at Stadshart.

Onderuit stop - Placement and hoisting of the elevator at Onderuit.

Zonnestein stop - The new track and the overhead contact line at Zonnestein.

AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 11

R E N O VA T I N G TOGETHER WE’RE CARRYING OUT A MASSIVE OPERATION IN AMSTELVEEN.THE WORK WILL CAUSE NUISANCE, BUT WILL ALSO PREPARE THE CITY FOR THE FUTURE. HOW DO THE RESIDENTS OF AMSTELVEEN FEEL ABOUT THIS? TWO RESIDENTS OF THE MEANDERFLATS SPEAK TO ALDERMAN HERBERT RAAT (STADSHART, A9).

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, KLAAS DIRK BRUINTJES, HERBERT RAAT AND ROGER SWAAB 12 AMSTELVEEN INZICHT

INDEVELOPMENT

VIEW

Located between the A9 and the Stadshart, the Meanderflats are a symbolic meeting place. We meet up on the ninth floor - with a beautiful view of Amstelveen - where Klaas Dirk Bruintjes has been living for 27 years. For Roger Swaab, the Meanderflat on the other side has been home for 21 years. As residents, they will have to deal with the developments in the Stadshart and the expansion of the A9 in the coming years.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE WORK ON THE STADSHART?

‘I think it’s very important’, Swaab begins. ‘Our Stadshart is a dead heart, after 21.00 you can hear a pin drop there. It’s a shame that there’s so little to do in the evening, even though entrepreneurs are putting a lot of energy and money into the hospitality industry. That’s why I think the arrival of Pathé is a big asset.’ Bruintjes adds: ‘The shopping centre isn’t a beating heart yet, although I love the market and there is a great Bijenkorf.’ Both gentlemen agree that something has to be done. Alderman Raat: ‘What has become attractive is the former V&D building. Unfortunately Hudson’s Bay didn’t make it, but thanks to them, those 20,000 square meters of shopping space look great now. We hope new tenants will move into the building soon.’

WHICH CONCERNS DO YOU SHARE?

HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE?

‘It’s a very nice and peaceful place to live, so we’re really dreading the nuisance that the expansion of the A9 will cause. The work will produce a lot of noise and disrupt accessibility’, says Bruintjes. ‘We realise that, and that’s why we’re here’, Raat responds. Swaab: ‘I think it’s very special that the municipality, and Mr Raat in particular, is making money available for a study to improve the sustainability and appearance of the six Meander towers and the low-rise buildings. If you’re going to cause so much nuisance as a municipality for six years, then get rid of the Siberia feeling and make sure it looks good again.’ Bruintjes completely agrees with this: ‘If you want to turn this into an iconic spot, the whole area has to be included in the metamorphosis.’ Raat agrees with this: ‘You can’t tackle one thing and neglect the other. As soon as the work here begins in earnest, I want to set up a focus group. This will allow us to keep a finger on the pulse of residents’ concerns.’

‘I look forward to it, because I’ll have a view of the greenery’, says Bruintjes, ‘but I am very curious how it will affect the traffic situation.

Part of the Meanderpark will disappear and there will be a small exit past Mr Swaab’s flat.’

Raat: ‘It is very unfortunate that the greenery here will disappear, but this is unavoidable during such a large project. There are beautiful trees here. When the work is finished, new trees will be planted. In the Meanderpark as well.’ Swaab adds: ‘I believe in the future of the city. This improvement in quality will also increase the value of our homes. The fact remains that we’ll get a lot of traffic here in Meander, because this will become the access road to the shopping centre, the theatre and the parking garage.’ Raat concludes: ‘It’s an adventure which we’re embarking on together. The residents of Amstelveen are proud of their city, but also critical with regard to what isn’t going well. We exchange views in a civilised, substantive way. That’s really a quality of Amstelveen.’

‘ AN ADVEN TURE W H I CH WE ’R E

E MB ARK IN G O N T O G E T HE R ’

AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 13

METAMORPHOSIS AT THE OUDERKERKERLAAN JUNCTION THE OUDERKERKERLAAN IS A SPECIAL JUNCTION IN AMSTELVEEN: ALL TRAFFIC FLOWS CONVERGE HERE. SANDRA STEGLICH, INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT SUPERVISOR WITH THE AMSTERDAM TRANSPORT REGION, ZOOMS IN ON THE IMPROVEMENTS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND CYCLISTS.

SANDRA STEGLICH AT THE OUDERKERKERLAAN JUNCTION 14 AMSTELVEEN INZICHT

INDEVELOPMENT

IMPACT

You can’t miss it when nearing the Ouderkerkerlaan junction: people are hard at work here. And for a reason. The expansion of the A9 will significantly impact the local roads in Amstelveen from 2020 on. In order to later handle traffic smoothly and guarantee good traffic circulation, infrastructural measures are taken as a precaution. Sandra explains: ‘The expansion of the flyover at the Beneluxbaan - known as the Ouderkerkerlaan junction - catches the eye, and for good reason.’

REGIONAL CONNECTOR

The Amsterdam Transport Region connects municipalities and works on building a region in which people can get to their destination smoothly. They among other things do this by cofinancing the accessibility measures, such as the conversion of the Amstelveenlijn and the expansion of bicycle sheds at public transport stops. ‘As the principal of public transport in the region, we are closely involved in the work on the Ouderkerkerlaan junction. It’s an important transfer point for travellers using the regional buses and the Amstelveenlijn, the future Amsteltram/line 25. Providing sufficient bicycle sheds is also part of the project.’

IMPROVEMENTS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The goal is to turn the Ouderkerkerlaan junction into a compact and orderly intersection, where travellers can transfer to buses, trams or bicycles quickly and safely. ‘The bus stops will be enlarged, accommodating two buses at the stop simultaneously.

Thanks to the clear setup, travellers can get to their next destination more easily after disembarking. Elevators will also be installed, improving accessibility for the disabled and people with prams. The new design of the bus and tram stops fulfils the

‘A SAFE JUNCTION FOR EVERYONE’

accessibility requirements.’ Additionally, the current bicycle parking spaces will be expanded and modified with the R-net appearance. The presence of sufficient bicycle sheds makes transferring from public transport to bicycles more pleasant. Finally, the redesigned sheds with canopies will be closer to the stops, reducing walking distances in some respects.

BETTER AND SAFER TRAFFIC CIRCULATION

In addition to providing good bus and tram transfers for passengers, public transport will in the future also benefit from better traffic circulation. ‘By making the stops longer, buses don’t have to wait for each other anymore. They will also have their own lane thanks to the expansion of the flyover. This has a positive impact on the circulation of the other traffic.

The bicycle tunnel will facilitate a safe crossing for cyclists, but also a fast bicycle connection in the north-south direction. The slow traffic and road traffic intersect less frequently as a result, and the road traffic will have to stop for crossing cyclists and mopeds less frequently.’

The Transport Region will remain involved in the progress of the project and looks forward to its completion in August 2020. ‘There will be a compact but safe, organised and accessible junction of which the region - and Amstelveen in particular - can be proud.’

AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 15

‘LACK OF ELECTRONICS SHOPS’

MARK AND DIMITRIOS

‘Dimitrios recently became my roommate and I’m showing him around Amstelveen. I thought it would be fun to show him the market. I think the Stadshart is a nice shopping centre, but it’s not finished yet. For example, a Pathé would be great! There is also a lack of men’s shops and electronics shops. I have to go to Coolblue or the Mediamarkt in Amsterdam for a USB stick at the moment.’ – Mark and Dimitrios

I N C O N V E R S AT I O N W H AT D O YOU THI NK O F THE STADSHART? AMSTELVEEN IS GETTING A MAKEOVER: THE A9 WILL BE EXPANDED, THE OLD EXPRESS TRAM 51 WILL BE REPLACED BY A MODERN TRAM LINE AND THE STADSHART WILL GET A BOOST. BUT HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS? WE VISITED THE WEEKLY MARKET AT THE STADSPLEIN.

LYDIA

‘DIVERSE MARKET’ ‘I regularly shop in the Stadshart, I bought my glasses here recently. I always get a cup of coffee at Venstra and I spend a lot of time in the library. I also like the market. The atmosphere is friendly and it’s very diverse. I used to visit the Albert Cuypmarkt, but it’s not the way it used to be, it’s really aimed at tourists now. It’s still nice and authentic here.’ – Lydia 16 AMSTELVEEN INZICHT

I N C O N V E R S AT I O N

‘ N I C E P R I VAT E S H O P S ’ ‘We visit the Stadshart regularly, it’s a very nice place to shop.

It’s especially pleasant in autumn, everything is covered. We like to go to Zara, Mango and Nespresso. There are also a lot of nice private clothing shops. We hadn’t had lunch yet, so it’s convenient that the market is being held today. We just enjoyed a delicious Vietnamese spring roll.’ – Anissa and Sarah

ANISSA AND SARAH

‘ E A S Y PA R K I N G ’

ELISABETH

‘I come to the market every Friday, you can find all kinds of things here. I love fresh products, so this is where I always buy my fish and fruit. I walk around the square with a cup of coffee and go into my favourite shops: Dille & Kamille and the Bijenkorf.

It’s also easy to park your car here, which is an advantage.’ – Elisabeth

RUUD

‘GOOD BUS CONNECTION’ ‘I lived here for fifteen years. I live in Amsterdam-Zuid now, but the bus connection to Amstelveen is very good. Or I go by bicycle! I regularly visit the market and like shopping at Action. I think they’ve definitely succeeded in making the Stadshart livelier, the old V&D building was renovated nicely. There is a lack of public toilets, that’s badly organised here.’ – Ruud AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 17

RENS KOEKENBIER AT THE CULTURAL STRIP

T H E AT R E A S A NEW IMPULSE FOR C U LT U R A L S T R I P

18 AMSTELVEEN INZICHT

INDEVELOPMENT

EVERYONE AGREES: AMSTELVEEN DESERVES A THEATRE. RENS KOEKENBIER, PROJECT MANAGER OF THE STADSHART THEATRE, TALKS ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES PATHÉ OFFERS IN GIVING THE CULTURAL STRIP A FACELIFT.

HOW DOES PATHÉ FIT INTO THE CULTURAL STRIP?

‘Many residents of Amstelveen are enthusiastic about the arrival of a Pathé theatre, but: what’s a good spot? The municipality studied what would be the best location. Behind the Schouwburg would be ideal, with an entrance at the Stadsplein. Visitors then enter the theatre via the square and we could really use that liveliness, especially in the evening. To create the entrance to the Pathé on the front, adjustments need to be made to the part in which Platform C is now located. This is the collective name of the Music and Dance School, Adult Education Institute and Art Library.’

NEW THEATRE, NEW OPPORTUNITIES?

‘The arrival of Pathé is a great opportunity to redesign the cultural strip, which houses Platform C, the Schouwburg and Poppodium P60. The desire to make the facade more attractive has existed for years. The glass was originally intended to give it an accessible appearance, but in practice, it functions as a mirror. We also see opportunities to better connect the cultural institutions in the building. They can then exchange rooms more easily and receive more visitors. Together we look for solutions, such as for the future entrance of Platform C and fitting in the loading docks of the Schouwburg and P60. We’re always in dialogue in order to coordinate all the requirements.’

WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?

‘Together with our colleagues at the Real Estate department, they rent out the building, we looked at how we can create a design that pleases everyone.

Good solutions were found for Platform C and for the technical integration of Pathé. The municipal council approved the Initial Memorandum, the cultural institutions are pleased and the residents are very keen. Now we know that it’s technically feasible and has political backing, it’s time for the financial picture. We look at the costs of modifying the building and what the renovation means for the planning and business operations of the cultural institutions. At the moment, we’re talking to Pathé about the finances, and afterwards we’ll get started on the spatial procedure.’

‘IT’S A

COMPLEX TASK’ WHAT CHALLENGES ARE YOU RUNNING INTO? SKETCH OF PATHÉ THEATRE

‘Placing a theatre in our Stadshart is a complex task.

If everything goes according to plan, the construction of Pathé will coincide with the construction of the new A9 exit. This will be a challenge, as will the fact that space for a crane or construction site is limited.

We’re furthermore in talks with all cultural institutions, but this doesn’t change the fact that decisions have to be made sometimes. These are sometimes less favourable for one party than for the other, but we strive towards a happy medium. After all, we all have the same goal: a properly functioning, more appealing cultural strip. The arrival of Pathé is a great opportunity to make this improvement.’

AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 19