Amsterdam. Pocket Atlas

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1 Amsterdam Pocket Atlas

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3 Core of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area Amsterdam is a unique city, a city on a human scale. Modern metropolitan amenities are to be found just a stone s throw away from a centuries-old and richly varied landscape. World Heritage in the 17th-century ring of concentric canals in the centre of the city, the North Sea coastline and the landscape of manmade polders are situated within easy reach of one another. And how is all of this interconnected with Europe and the rest of the world? You can find out about all that in this Amsterdam Pocket Atlas. This atlas presents a geographical impression of Amsterdam, providing information about the Dutch capital s location and its developmental history as well as devoting due attention to the spatial themes that play an important part in plans for the Amsterdam of the future. Pivotal to this is the city s relationship with the surrounding region, in many cases now so crucial that the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area has become the guiding principle for the urban plans and developments currently in hand. I hope you will thoroughly enjoy the texts and images in this publication. Hans Tijl Director, Department of Physical Planning City of Amsterdam

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5 Contents General information 2 Some basic facts 3 Historical inner city 4 Scale 5 History 7 Changing population 8 Administrative borders and collaboration 9 Getting there and around 12 Amsterdam in the region 13 Public transport networks 14 Main road and bicycle network 16 Recreational routes 18 Interconnectivity 19 Spatial qualities 22 Green city 23 Parks and green space 24 Spatial restrictions 25 Blue city 26 Amsterdam & sea level 27 Densities and heights 28 Mix of functions 30 Housing prices 32 Public space Economy & knowledge 36 Economic clusters 37 Schiphol Airport and Port of Amsterdam 38 Hotel developments 40 Meeting and convention locations 41 Top talent & institutes 42 International companies 43 A sustainable, healthy city 46 Sports 47 Food 48 Biodiversity 49 Sustainable energy 50 Electric transport 51 Future: vision and major projects 54 Investment programme 55 North/South metro line 56 IJburg 57 Zuidas 58

6 1 General information London Amsterdam Frankfurt Paris Madrid

7 Some basic facts 3 Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and its largest city, with 767,000 inhabitants and 391,000 dwellings. The seat of the Dutch national government is in The Hague; Amsterdam is the financial and cultural heart of the Netherlands. Other important economic sectors are trade, business services, tourism and education. The city s rich history is reflected in its built environment and its tolerant image. General information 52º22 N, 4º51 E 177 nationalities 50% native Dutch 50% native non-dutch Area: 219 km 2 (25% water) 12% green space 4,509 inhabitants/km 2 land 400,000 trees

8 4 Historical inner city Amsterdam s main attraction is the entire historic inner city with its semicircular layout of concentric canals designed in 1613, a unique cityscape that was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in The canals are traversed by radial roadways that connect with the rest of the city. The water of the canals, the River Amstel and the IJ inlet is the most distinctive feature of the cityscape. Many of the island blocks defined by canals surround large private gardens hidden oases of greenery. The city centre is often praised for its diverse mix of functions: the ratio of residents and jobs is about one to one. Though employment in the city centre has fallen markedly over the last 40 years, it remains the city s most important concentration of work activity, alongside a mix of shops, cultural centres and educational institutions that make the old inner city Amsterdam s most diverse and vital area. Area: 8 km 2 Water: 1,7 km 2 Jobs: Population:

9 Scale 5 Amsterdam City population Regional population 2,200,000 Area 219 km 2 Population density 3,504/km 2 Amsterdam might be called the smallest metropolis. While the city scores high on many indicators of economic competitiveness and international attractiveness, it cannot compete by size. New York City population 8,363,710 Regional population 19,006,798 Area 1,214 km 2 Population density 6,889/km 2 New York City and its agglomeration are much larger, but Amsterdam has an equally diverse economy. Frankfurt City population 664,838 Regional population 1,922,101 Area 248 km 2 Population density 2,681/km 2 Although Frankfurt has a larger urban agglomeration, its large airport and financial sector are comparable to those of Amsterdam. Paris City population 2,193,030 Regional population 10,142,977 Area 105 km 2 Population density 20,886/km 2 Paris has far greater densities of population and the agglomeration is much larger, but the area within the Périphérique is similar to that within Amsterdam s A10 ring road. Each map represents an area of approximately 25 x 20 kilometers. Source: citypopulation.de / wikipedia.org

10 6 History c Earliest evidence of human habitation along the River Amstel First recorded mention of the settlement on the Amstel c Amsterdam is a major port and trading city and the centre of political power in the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands 1613 Beginning of expansion beyond the medieval city core: Amsterdam acquires its semicircular form The city becomes the capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but the seat of national government is The Hague 1824 Completion of the Great North Holland Canal connects the city with the North Sea, providing a significant advantage for shipping Measures are introduced to combat the silting up of the port; the Eastern and Western Docks are excavated 1830 Gas, electricity, sewers, telephone, transport and water supply networks are established, mostly on private initiative 1839 Opening of the first railway line in the Netherlands, between Amsterdam and Haarlem City authorities establish a Public Works Department 1870 First new urban expansion projects in more than 250 years 1876 Opening of the North Sea Canal connects the city directly with the North Sea, further reducing shipping turnaround periods Founding of the Municipal Housing Department: Amsterdam City Council starts to build housing on its own initiative 1916 Schiphol Military Airfield established to the southwest of the city. It will eventually become the national airport Urban expansion beyond the 19th-century city core Founding of the Municipal Town

11 Planning Department within the Public Works Department 1934 Layout and planting of the Amsterdamse Bos woodland park, a workcreation project established during the Great Depression 1950-present Renovation of 16th-, 17th-, 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century city districts Expansion of the port area towards the west For over a century the city acquires space to expand by annexing neighbouring municipalities. Since 1966 the municipal boundaries have been fixed 1966 Construction of the Bijlmermeer commences, a futuristically functionalist residential district to the southeast of the city Opening of the Coen Tunnel, a road tunnel under the North Sea Canal that connects the city with the hinterland to the north 1968 Opening of the IJ Tunnel, a road tunnel connecting North Amsterdam with the rest of the city Construction of the A10 ring road around the city Construction of the city s first metro line, part of which runs underground 1989 Masterplan for the construction of residential areas on the islands in the Eastern Harbour District Masterplans for the development of the Banks of the IJ and Zuidas First pile is driven in IJburg, a residential district built constructed on new manmade islands in the IJmeer lake Construction of the North/South Line metro begins, connecting the north and south of the city 2009 First high-speed train runs on dedicated track to Paris

12 8 Changing population The city s demographic development has always been guided by urban planning. The abrupt expansion in the 1920s was made possible by the annexations of outlying districts (see graph). The loss of population in the 1940s was a tragic consequence of the German occupation. Returning displaced persons and the post-war baby-boom children set Amsterdam on a new demographic trend. In the 1970s and 80s, national housing policy met surging demand by assigning suburban growth trajectories and satellite cores around major cities. 40,000 30,000 20,000 10, ,000-20,000 Annual population growth and decline , Migration in 2008 The advantages offered by large-scale housing programmes in cities like Purmerend, Hoorn and Almere drew many families away from Amsterdam. Meeting the requirements of contemporary preferences, current city-planning policy is once again looking to the ageing housing stock within the city. Amsterdam has grown steadily since the 1990s, attracting people from the rest of the Netherlands and from abroad seeking further education or work. But all the while Amsterdam loses families to the regions, indicating that the former growth cores remain attractive to certain sections of the Amsterdam population. Amsterdam is home to 177 nationalities and 50% of the city s population is comprised of single-person households

13 Administrative borders and collaboration Looking inside Amsterdam The City of Amsterdam has two administrative tiers: the city-wide municipality and city districts. A rearrangement of local government in May 2010 consolidated fourteen city districts into just seven, ranging between 80,000 and 150,000 inhabitants. The elected district councils and their executives perform almost all the statutory tasks of an independent municipality. Amsterdam s municipal executive and city council are responsible for matters that extend beyond the boundaries of a single city district, or exceed its powers, and administers a municipal budget. Westpoort harbour area North 86,681 West 129,910 New West Centre 81, ,974 East 112,445 South 132,153 Southeast 80,490 Looking outside Amsterdam Amsterdam is part of the Province of North Holland, which has its administrative seat in Haarlem. Amsterdam participates in the City Region of Amsterdam, a collaborative platform of 16 municipalities. On a more informal level, the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (AMA) is the name given to a wider collaboration of regional and local authorities with a combined population of 2.2 million. Under the metropolitan arrangement, the regional partners agree on issues such as housing construction, business sites, infrastructure and green space. The municipalities engage in joint efforts to make the AMA an internationally competitive region. 9

14 10 Urban typology Building period Before 1900 Between 1900 and 1945 After Van der Pekbuurt: housing in garden suburb style for dockworkers 3 2 Canal belt: the city s first coordinated extension plan Jordaan: west of the canal belt, a new district created for the working class 4 Nieuw Sloten: spacious suburban area with parks and water frontages 5 General Extension Plan: the 1934 plan by Van Eesteren

15 11 10 Eastern Docklands: former harbour zone transformed into residential area IJburg: Amsterdam s latest residential expansion in the IJmeer 7 8 Betondorp:concrete replaced brick in this 1920s project 6 Minervalaan: one of the central axes in Berlage s Plan Zuid 7 Zuidoost: expansion of the city in functionalist style

16 2 Getting there and around

17 Amsterdam in the region 13 Amsterdam is an international transport hub. Schiphol is a major world airport. Amsterdam is easily accessible to the European motorway network and the city enjoys international rail links to the south (Belgium, France) and east (Germany and beyond). Trains leave for many destinations in Europe from Amsterdam s Central Station. High-speed trains reach Paris in little more than three hours. Accessibility by water is excellent: in 2009 about 100 ocean cruise ships and almost 1,000 inland waterway cruisers docked in Amsterdam. A fast ferry connects Amsterdam with Velsen along the North Sea Canal

18 14 Public transport: metro network Amsterdam s public transport system accounts for 260 million passenger journeys per annum. The Municipal Transport Company (GVB) maintains 1,900 bus- and tram-stops in and around Amsterdam. Buses have both a local and regional function. Free ferries cross the IJ. Amsterdam s metro network is relatively modern. The underground section of the existing metro lines was constructed by building caissons at ground level and sinking them into the soft sandy substratum. The first metro line was opened in 1976 and three new lines have been added since. The North-South Line that is under construction will link the North of Amsterdam to the rest of the city, passing under the IJ waterway, long a traditional barrier. 25% Share in transport Every week 1.5 million passengers travel the 42.5 km of dedicated metro track

19 Public transport: tram network 15 Amsterdam has a finely meshed tram network of both radial and tangential lines. There are a great many tram-stops, especially in the city centre and the surrounding 19th-century districts. Many tramlines unlike the bus and metro snake through the city s narrow shopping streets, providing excellent accessibility. Various lines have been extended over recent years, for example between Central Station and the new residential district of IJburg. The city s 16 tramlines travel over more than 200 km of dedicated track More than 200 trams convey passengers through Amsterdam

20 16 Main road network The main road network makes the city accessible to external motor traffic from outside the city and traffic between city districts. Through traffic is concentrated on the most appropriate roads to lessen noise and enhance road safety, making the city more liveable. Alternative means of transport like cycling, walking and public transportation are encouraged. Park and Ride facilities stand at strategic points of entry to the city, connected to the national trunk roads and the main routes from neighbouring municipalities as well as the local public transport network, easing the switch between modes of transport. 37% Share in transport The Zeeburg P+R is right next to the new IJburg tram line

21 Main bicycle network 17 Amsterdam boasts an intricate and busy web of cycle paths. For inner city mobility the bike is by far the most popular means of transport, contributing to a reduction in the number of car journeys. Improved comfort and safety for cyclists is essential, so the newest cycle paths have lanes separated from motor traffic. The number of secure bicycle storage facilities ( ) is being substantially increased at public transport hubs and stations, including reserved space for the larger carrier-cycles increasingly used as toddler transport. 38% The carrier-bike (bakfiets) has become a familiar sight in Amsterdam Share in transport* * Within the ring road the share is 50%

22 18 Recreational routes Besides daily traffic, the streets, lanes and paths of Amsterdam are also used for recreation. Especially during weekends and holidays, many people go out to walk, run, skate or cycle. For these purposes they tend to take different routes to those for their work-related journeys, choosing picturesque routes along waterfronts, through parks and green spaces in the region. Running and cycling alongside the River Amstel to the village of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel has become very popular. Guided walking tours through the historic parts of the inner-city are ever in great demand. Cyclists in Waterland The countryside is only a bike ride away

23 Interconnectivity 19 Besides its port, cruise terminal and airport, Amsterdam boasts an important hub of a different sort: the Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX ) is the world s second largest node of cables serving the data-sharing infrastructure of the World Wide Web. This has proven a great asset in attracting companies that take advantage of highspeed communications. The city is well connected: 89% of people in Amsterdam have a direct internet connection. Internet usage in the Netherlands puts it among the top three in the world. There is WiFi coverage throughout much of the city, especially at cafés and coffeeshops ( ). The AMS-IX has an average througput of 593 Gbit per second (which equals the file size of about 20,000 Mp3-songs)

24 20 Architectonic highlights 1 Kraanspoor, Trude Hooykaas, Amsterdam School architecture and Museum Het Schip, M. de Klerk, Oklahoma, MVRDV, ING Bank headquarters, Roberto Meyer & Jeroen van Schooten, The Rijksmuseum, P.J.H. Cuypers, 1885

25 Openbare bibliotheek Amsterdam (Public Library), Jo Coenen, Muziekgebouw/Bimhuis, Nielsen, Nielsen & Nielsen, Science Centre NEMO, Renzo Piano, Borneo-Sporenburg Bridge, Adriaan Geuze, Royal Palace on Dam Square, J. van Campen, 1648

26 3 Spatial qualities The Amsterdam Defence Line is UNESCO World Heritage

27 Green city 23 Amsterdam is a green city and has devoted a great deal of attention to greenery in urban planning since the early 20th century. In the General Extension Plan (1935) by Cornelis van Eesteren, green space was one of the structuring elements. Besides a rich tradition of creating and landscaping parks, there has always been plenty of consideration for integrating the city into the landscape. To the north, for example, there is a sharply defined boundary between the city and Waterland, a centuries-old tract of reclaimed peat meadows. By contrast, built-up areas protrude into the green areas like fingers to the west, south and southeast. Amsterdam s urban form could be described as a finger plan, like the ex- tended fingers of a hand, with lobes of development separated and surrounded by wedges of green space that are easily accessible and provide large areas of re- creational space for Amsterdam s inhabitants and visitors. The former defence line circling through the region is now a connecting element between these wedges. Ditches determine the landscape s texture

28 24 Parks and green space The city has many urban parks that are used for dog walking, running, public events and relaxation. Recent research shows that Amsterdam s parks are gaining in popularity as they become more intensively used. Young creative people increasingly use parks for work and play. Well aware that green space provides the city with a more livable and attractive public space, Amsterdam is currently increasing the number of pocket parks, small oases of green space established on vacant lots and undeveloped corners in the city. These new little parks provide residents with an oasis of calm in the close vicinity and elevate the quality of the locale. The most important green elements in the city are pinpointed in the Main Green Structure, providing protected status for these zones. Woodland area Allotment gardens Public parks Cemeteries Never Yearly Daily Monthly Weekly How often does a resident of Amsterdam visit a park?

29 Spatial restrictions 25 The possibilities for the further expansion of Amsterdam within its municipal boundaries are limited. The city is wedged between the protected green zones of the Green Heart to the south and rural Waterland to the north. The city is also faced with the challenge of limited space within its current footprint. The noise-nuisance contours around Schiphol Airport limit the opportunities for urban expansion to the west. Attempts to turn parts of the Western Harbour District into a more diverse area are hindered by restrictions imposed by industrial activities. Amsterdam has therefore opted for a strategy of densification of its existing urban fabric, though not simply out of necessity; high densities are also a means to ensure a sustainable and attractive city life. Transport and industry limit other functions

30 26 Blue city Water has been the key element in Amsterdam s success. The influence of water is clearly evident in the growth of the region, which is set between the salt water of the North Sea and the freshwater IJsselmeer lake. Water has always been a decisive factor in inner city development, from the digging of the semicircular belt of concentric canals in the 17th century to the 21st-century IJburg expansion district. In the Netherlands a separate council is elected for water management. Amsterdam falls under the jurisdiction of the Amstel, Gooi and Vecht Regional Water Management Board. Amsterdam has 1,281 bridges

31 Amsterdam and sea level 27 Three centuries ago, a standard ordnance datum (N.A.P.) was established in Amsterdam, based on the average high-water mark of the Zuiderzee, which was Amsterdam s connection with the North Sea. The N.A.P. serves as the initial point of reference for all construction in the Netherlands. Large parts of Amsterdam are below sea level, with certain polders as low as some six metres below N.A.P.. Vast systems of dykes and pumps ensure that the population of Amsterdam keep their feet dry. Water management is an everyday concern in the urban planning of Amsterdam. Amsterdam has km of dykes Schiphol is the only airport in the world built below sea level

32 28 Densities and heights Low density, low-rise architecture 2 High density, medium-rise architecture

33 29 This map of Amsterdam s built-up space classified by construction heights (Floor Space Index or FSI) and built area (Ground Space Index or GSI) shows that the latter is greatest in central areas and decreases towards the edges of the city. Amsterdam s tallest buildings are along the urban ring road, especially in the office belts of Sloterdijk and Zuidas. Outlying areas, particularly North Amsterdam and the harbourside, have the lowest building heights in the city. highrise mediumrise lowrise built surface 2 1,8 1,6 1,4 1,2 1 0,8 0,6 0,4 0,2 FSI 0,1 GSI 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6 3 Medium density, high-rise architecture 4 High density, high-rise architecture

34 30 Mix of functions Negen Straatjes: a blend of functions 2 Albert Cuyp: services and residences

35 31 The liveliness of a neighbourhood is largely determined by its mix of functions. In order to attract different people at different times of the day and week, urban areas need to combine dwellings with working spaces and amenities. This map shows the degree to which parts of Amsterdam have such a mix at street level. Monofunctional areas become dominant towards the edges of the city. Areas which combine two functions are found throughout the city, especially along the ring road. The map shows how the ring around the canal belt comes closest to an equal mix of services, residences and working space. residences working space services 3 De Aker: mostly residences 4 ArenA area: mostly services

36 32 Housing prices Densities and heights, together with accessibility, are the factors that provide the backbone for functionally diverse neighbourhoods. These, in turn, are the places where people want to live, as reflected in the housing prices on this page. The centre of the city is clearly the location that people value most. Nevertheless, over time this area is spreading in all directions. The whole area within the ring road seems to profit from the favourable conditions created by its density and functional mix. Such developments can, however, challenge the position of current residents; the city s social housing system clearly has a job to do. Highest High Middle Low Lowest

37 Public space 33 Amsterdam is compact and densely populated. High-quality public space, which calls for the use of good materials and intelligent design that accommodates different uses, is necessary to make such a compact city work. The most pleasant public places are those that offer a diversity of functions and are used by diverse groups every day of the year. Amsterdam therefore attaches a lot of importance to public space in general and to squares and parks in particular, places where people want to spend time. Red Carpet Special attention is paid to the route from Central Station through the inner city to the city s exhibition centre in the South. As the city s Red Carpet, it passes by well known areas such as the Red Light District, Dam Square, the landmark Munt Tower and the Pijp neighbourhood. Improvements along this route have included new street furniture, ensuring that spaces are more pedestrian friendly and embedding the metro entrances.

38 Tourist highlights 1 Canal cruises are Amsterdam s most popular attraction Artis Zoo is near the city centre The Concertgebouw is a neighbour to the city s three main museums 4 Carré is Amsterdam s most prestigious theatre 5 The Rijksmuseum shows Rembrandt s Nightwatch

39 10 The Anne Frank House tells the story of Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank The Flower market is the only floating market in the city. 4 8 The Jordaan is an old working-class quarter 6 The 17th-century City Hall has been the Royal Palace since the 19th century 7 Van Gogh has his own museum in Amsterdam

40 4 Economy & knowledge

41 Economic clusters 37 The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area is an important hub of international business and trade. It has a broad economic profile, with a strong presence of company headquarters. The sectors on this map form the backbone of the Amsterdam economy and exhibit great potential for the future. Most sectors are spread throughout the city; only their strongest concentrations are indicated on this map. Finance and business services 40,000 companies 163,000 employees Logistics and trade 25,500 companies 180,000 employees Life sciences 1,350 companies 11,500 employees Creative industries 24,000 companies 65,000 employees Tourism and conferences 12,700 companies 100,000 employees ICT 19,400 companies 96,000 employees Food and flowers 5,100 companies 44,500 employees

42 38 Port of Amsterdam and Schiphol airport

43 39 Port of Amsterdam Europe s 4th largest port, The port of Amsterdam ranks fourth in northwestern Europe, with annual transshipment of serving 110 countries on five continents almost 73 million tons of cargo. Value-added Airport, seaport and city logistics is one of the port s main activities. This centre just 20 minutes away takes place in the Westpoort district which offers The world s largest cocoa a wide variety of facilities that cater for a whole port range of business sectors. Activities focus on The world s largest efficient transit and processing of incoming and petroleum port outgoing general, bulk and container cargo. Where harbour and city meet, considerable attention is paid to integration with city life. A new residential neighborhood is constructed at the former wood-harbour. The adjacent area around Sloterdijk station is dedicated to offices but will be developed into a more multifunctional neighborhood with hotels and leisure functions. The Port of Amsterdam has excellent connections via waterways, road and rail. Schiphol is just a 20-minute drive away a great advantage for companies conducting international business. This distance will even be shortened when the Westrandweg, which bypasses traffic from the city, will be completed. Serving 265 destinations in 93 countries Accounts for 1,5% of Dutch GDP 43.6 million passengers (5th in Europe) 1.3 million tonnes of cargo (3rd in Europe) Schiphol Airport Schiphol Airport is an international hub for trade, distribution, passenger traffic and other activities. The airport is of great importance for Amsterdam, providing 60,000 jobs at the airport complex itself and a multiple of this in indirect employment. Schiphol s special qualities include the full-service AirportCity concept, easy transfers and a comprehensive network of connections. Schiphol ranks fifth in Europe in passenger turnover and third in cargo traffic. The cranes of the harbour are part of the Amsterdam skyline Amsterdam Airport is one of the main nodes in the rail network

44 40 Hotel developments Amsterdam is one of the world s most popular destinations for business and leisure, as reflected by the buoyant hotel market. To suit its wide variety of visitors, Amsterdam has an impressive range of hotels, from world-class five-star business establishments to romantic boutique hotels in the world heritage canal area. Demand for hotel rooms in Amsterdam is expected to increase for the foreseeable future. The city is rising to this challenge by intensively expanding the hotel Large hotel inventory to match the growing demand. The new rooms fall into all categories, from one to five stars. Medium-size hotel Some 13,000 new rooms are needed for the region as Small hotel a whole. Hotel in development 11.2 million visitors in million overnights in % of overnights for business purposes, 65% tourism 369 hotels 46,000 beds

45 Meeting and convention locations 41 Due to Amsterdam s easy access and international appeal, the city hosts many meetings and is ranked within the top 10 of convention cities in the world. Meeting venues vary from small heritage merchant houses to large state-of-the-art buildings and hotels. Many of these are historical buildings that have been given new life as conference locations. Meetings and conventions take place in- and around the city, in the historical district or near the airport. The named locations in this map represent the top 10 meeting locations in Amsterdam in 2009, based on participant per day. Meeting- and convention location RAI convention centre 515 international conventions and meetings 42% of events related to Medical Sciences or Technology. Average event duration: 3.5 days 14% of all business overnight stays are related to participants in a meeting Over 418,410 participant days in 2009

46 42 Top talent and institutes Education is crucial to Amsterdam s economy and the personal development of its residents. Amsterdam is by far the most important city of education in the Netherlands, hosting around 100,000 students at two universities and several institutions of higher education. Students bring life to the city and take full advantage of facilities in the domains of culture and creativity, sport and nightlife. The demand for highly educated employees keeps growing, and many graduates remain in Amsterdam to work once they have completed their studies University of Amsterdam (UvA) 2 UvA Science Park 3 UvA Medical Centre 4 VU University 5 InHolland university of applied science 6 HvA university of applied science 7 Conservatorium van Amsterdam 8 Amsterdam school of real estate 9 Duisenberg school of finance 10 Rietveld academy 11 Amsterdam centre for services innovation 12 Amsterdam university college 13 Amsterdam fashion institute 14 Academy of architecture

47 International companies 43 Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is one of Europe s most international cities. A truly global hub for goods, data and people, it ranks among the top five business locations in Europe. More than 2,000 foreign companies, including Adidas, Hitachi, Huawei, LG, Cisco and Tata, have operations or European headquarters in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. Some 17% of its labour force is directly employed by foreign companies. In addition, the international headquarters of many Dutch multinationals, such as Philips, Heineken, Ahold, AkzoNobel, TomTom and ING, are located in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area.

48 Major events 1 Sail, held every 5 years, attracts 2,500,000 visitors 7 2 Uitmarkt: a sneak preview of the coming cultural season Funfair in the heart of the city, in front of the Royal Palace 4 Tuschinsky Theatre: home of the IDFA documentary festival 5 Amsterdam Roots festival: celebrating world music in the park

49 10 Kwakoe has grown from a football tournament to a mulitcultural event The Amsterdam Marathon starts and finishes at the Olympic Stadium 10 8 On Queen s Day, the Vondelpark turns orange 6 Prinsengracht Concert: The canals used as festival site 7 The Canal Tour is the highlight of the Gay Pride event

50 5 A sustainable, healthy city Sports Axis The city s encouragement of sport is the focus at the Sportas or Sports Axis, a concentration of high-class sports facilities, including the Olympic Stadium, Sporthallen Zuid, Frans Otten Stadium, Bosbaan rowing course and Wagener Stadium. Facilities for grassroots sports such as soccer, tennis and hockey, and the proximity of the Amsterdamse Bos woodland park make the area even more diverse.

51 Sports 47 Sports are an integral component of city life, made visible by the numerous sports parks plus the various playgrounds and public skate ramps. Runners choose their own paths through the city as do cyclists in the wider green spaces of the region. The value of sport is far greater than physical exercise alone; it contributes to social cohesion, health and integration. The city is therefore investing in infrastructure that facilitates elite as well as grassroots sports. The two are closely associated: the top of the pyramid inspires the base and grassroots organizations supply the elite athletes of the future. The city aims to strengthen such synergy, an ambition underlined by its support for the 2028 Olympic Plan. In 2016 an outstanding sports infrastructure and talented athletes will underpin Amsterdam s bid to host the Olympics. International sports venues 1 Ookmeer sports park (athletics) 2 Sloterparkbad (swimming) 3 Velodrome Sloten (cycling) 4 Frans Otten stadium (tennis) 5 Sporthallen Zuid (basketball) 6 Sporthallen Zuid (volleyball) 7 Olympic Stadium 8 Bosbaan (rowing) 9 Wagener stadium (field hockey) 10 Jaap Edenbaan (speed skating) 11 ArenA (football)

52 48 Food Food has an important effect both on people and the environment through production, transport, processing and consumption. Large cities with their wide, dense and diverse consumer base are crucial in the production chain. Quality and sustainability of a diverse and fair supply of food needs to be safeguarded, prospering by close interaction between urban and rural environments, markets and consumers, and producers and logistical companies. Restaurants serving Food Center Amsterdam (FCA) is an area of 260,000m 2 organic food for businesses solely operating in food wholesale. The Organic food shops city council s ambition is to arrive at a sustainable and Organic markets economic redevelopment of the FCA site. Many people find their way to the organic food market

53 Biodiversity 49 Amsterdam has a tradition of collecting data about flora and fauna dating back to the 17th century. The city is the natural habitat of many species. With its rural green areas penetrating deep into the city, its diverse array of parks and its many lakes and waterways, Amsterdam is a place with much to offer bird, animal and insect life. But monofunctionality and the urban spread threaten many species. Amsterdam will take up its responsibility to sustain biodiversity. The map shows the density of biodiversity in the city s green spaces the darker the shading, the greater the diversity. Protected waterside plants are indicated in red. Biodiversity fostered by interaction between city and nature

54 50 Sustainable energy Amsterdam has great faith in the future and acknowledges the importance of sustainability in its ambitions. Much of the city s energy comes from farms of new wind turbines in the harbour area and the Waste-Fired Power Plant run by the Waste and Energy Company (AEB), the largest waste incineration and power generation facility in the world. To reduce energy consumption, Amsterdam has introduced district heating, to supply homes with heat generated by power plants and waste treatment plants, reducing CO 2 emissions by up to 80%. Summer heat and winter cold are collected and stored in large underground reservoirs for use in the heating and air-conditioning systems of offices and public facilities. The AEB turns Wind turbines are a dominant feature of Amsterdam s harbour skyline 4,400 tonnes of waste into 125 MW of energy per day

55 Electric transport 51 Amsterdam wants to be a pioneer when it comes to innovative and sustainable mobility. There is broad consensus in the city that electric transportation is one of the keys to improving air-quality as well as providing a boast to the economy, to innovation and to becoming a more quiet and livable city. Several car producers have chosen Amsterdam to launch their new electric vehicles in the coming years. Amsterdam expects all kilometers driven in the city to be electric powered by In order to promote this target charging points for cars ( ) and scooters ( ) will be available across Amsterdam in The first electric vehicles are appearing in the city

56 52 Vision on Amsterdam in 2040

57 Four developmental thrusts are the mainstays of the Structural Vision Amsterdam 2040, a statutory planning instrument with a long-term strategy and implementation package for the city s spatial and physical development: enlargement of the attractive inner core; dynamism along the waterfront, the IJ waterway and the IJ lake; international developments around Zuidas; more intensive use of the green spaces around the city. 53

58 6 Future: vision and major projects Investments in mixed zones Investments in city district cores Metropolitan core area Areas of urban renewal Investments in green space Investments in public transport

59 Investment programme 55 The Structural Vision for Amsterdam contains a concrete investment programme. The first round of investments between now and 2020 shows a mix of residential, office, infrastructure and green space development plus urban renewal outside the urban ring road, particularly in the west and north. The renewal in Southeast Amsterdam will by then be nearing completion. In line with the intensified use of public space, a great deal of attention is being paid to the qualitative improvement of parks. Large-scale urban projects like Zuidas, the North/South Line, the IJ waterfront and IJburg have been highlighted with their own pages in this Pocket Atlas.

60 56 North/South Metroline The North/South Metroline will link the north of the city with the south. This will Facts (when finished) largely reduce the barrier the river IJ traditionally poses between the northern 9.5 kilometers of track district and the rest of the city. The 4.2 kilomters of tunnel metro will also connect the traditional Around 185,000 passengers per day city centre to the newly emerging centre 8 stations around the South Axis office district and the RAI exhibition center. Above ground, the construction of the stations will be combined with the improvement of public space. The project employs a new drilling technique. Nevertheless, the construction of the metro in the soft Amsterdam soil has proven to be a challenge. Construction of the North/South Metroline is in progress

61 IJburg 57 The IJburg district is built on islands of sand dredged up from the IJ and Facts (when finished) provides many of its residents with vistas across open water. The relative proximity 6 new islands of natural areas and the urban core, dwellings easily accessible via a new tram line, Around 45,000 inhabitants makes it an area that combines urban Employment for 12,000 people intensity with rural allure. The construction of IJburg is proceeding in two phases, the first of which is now nearing completion. The man-made islands for the second phase have yet to be created. Due attention is being paid to a mix of functions and a diversification of housing typologies. About a third of the homes on IJburg will be in the rent-controlled social sector. There is ample room for offices, amenities and shops. These dwellings on Steigereiland were commissioned by the individual buyers IJburg s pedestrians and cyclists have their own bridge: the Nescio Bridge

62 58 Zuidas

63 59 Zuidas (the Southern Axis ) is a major development area of Amsterdam that will become a top-notch international location for mixed business and residential use. Unrivalled accessibility, due attention to sustainability and the human environment, and the traditional qualities of Amsterdam form the foundations for a highly successful development. Zuidas will enable Amsterdam, and the Netherlands as a whole, to compete effectively in the international arena. One of the key concepts in the development of Zuidas is the underground bundling of road and rail infrastructure, which serves several purposes. It will remove the physical barriers between the development and other parts of Amsterdam, which is essential if Zuidas is to become a fully integrated city district as intended. It will also make optimum use of the limited space in the very centre of Zuidas, reducing traffic noise and emissions the main sources of environmental impact without reducing accessibility. Facts (when finished) 9,000 dwellings 1,000,000 m 2 of amenities 83,000 jobs 30,000 students Over 250,000 daily commuters at South Station

64 60 Waterfront developments 1 The former NDSM shipyard is a creative hotspot hosting events and enterprises 2 Overhoeks: room for new residences and movie museum close to city center The Western Dock is a modern reflection of the islands in the historic city 7 Eastern Dock: new library and conservatory extend the city s cultural centre

65 61 3 Public transportation is improved through the extension of Central Station 4 Eastern Docklands: harbour turned into residences of high architectonic quality The city s music hall and cruise terminal at the river-front attract large crowds 5 Former warehouses were preserved commemorating the history of the area

66 For further information visit Credits The Amsterdam Pocket Atlas is a joint publication of the City of Amsterdam s departments of Infrastructure, Traffic and Transport, of Physical Planning and of Economic Affairs, as well as the Amsterdam Development Corporation and the Project Management Bureau. These five departments collaborate within the Development Alliance, an intensive joint venture in the spatial sector to which the City of Amsterdam s Engineering Bureau also contributes. Editor: Department of Physical Planning (DRO), Amsterdam Image credits: Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board, the City of Amsterdam photo bank, the Department of Physical Planning, and the Zuidas, North/South Line and IJburg Project Bureaus. Maps and graphic design: Department of Physical Planning (DRO), Amsterdam Printer: Joh. Enschedé, Amsterdam Although the authors have made every reasonable effort to provide accurate information, the publisher assumes no responsibility or liability for any omissions. In the event that the source of visual materials is incorrect or incomplete, please do not hesitate to contact the City of Amsterdam s Department of Physical Planning (DRO). Department of Physical Planning (DRO), City of Amsterdam, September 2010

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