Alderperson Carolien Gehrels

Portfolio

Economic Affairs

Amsterdam became what it is today through being committed to trade and commerce. Economic Affairs supports the City of Amsterdam in its aim of continued development in these areas and with regard to the international image of the city. The responsibilities are divided into the following areas:

• Economic Policy, including Europe

• amsterdam inbusiness (formerly foreign investment)

• Policy Analysis and Research

• Management Elements.

Art and Culture

Amsterdam ranks amongst the best in the world when it comes to art and culture. Old and new go seamlessly hand in hand and the museums, events, performances and creative buzz all add to Amsterdam’s unrivalled atmosphere.

The current Arts and Culture Plan 2009-2012 provided 140 institutions with subsidies to help them complete their programmes. The main tenets of the current plan are:

1. World Class: represents the very best Amsterdam has to offer. Such as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, IDFA, The National Ballet, The Stedelijk Museum and the recently refurbished Amsterdam Public Library (OBA).

2. City of Beauty: supported grass-roots development of art and culture – in all districts, not just in the Centre District.

3. Laboratory: stimulating experimentation and modernisation.

4. Talent Development: a fundamental element behind the strength of art and culture in Amsterdam. This is not a luxury but an essential requirement.

Local media

Local media retains an important position within the city, reflected in the Amsterdam Media Policy 2009-2013. Large-scale projects such as AT5 and Salto continue to receive subsidisation while smaller-scale projects will also be supported.

Participation

The City of Amsterdam has shares in more than forty enterprises and is constantly assessing whether holding, selling or buying shares is the best move.

Monuments and Archaeology

Amsterdam has more monuments than any other city in the Netherlands. As at 1 May 2010, there were 7,510 protected national monuments in the city.

The City of Amsterdam is committed to protecting the city’s cultural heritage but also to promoting the city’s cultural-historical history through education and communication.

Water Management

Water Management includes the management of water within Amsterdam, drinking water facilities, sewage facilities (waste water management) and groundwater.

Business

There are numerous companies within Amsterdam with two of the most well-known being the Afval Energie Bedrijf (AEB, Waste Energy Company) and the Dienst Stadstoezicht (DST, City Supervision Service).

Such companies fulfil significant roles in public life. A burning question is to what extent the government will continue to play a role or if control will be passed to independent companies.

Competition and Purchasing

The primary idea behind Purchasing is that residents get as much back for their money as possible. In a large city such as Amsterdam, bulk purchasing can be beneficial.

Other matters of concern for the City of Amsterdam include sustainability, improving air quality and social return.