Green Amsterdam
Nobody gets a bigger buzz out of separating plastics from paper and hopping on a bike than an Amsterdammer. It’s been that way since the days of building dikes and dams from raging floods. Doing one’s bit for the environment is every bit as important today as climate change is to penguins. That’s why Amsterdam is diversifying its pledge to sustainability with a host of new city-wide initiatives.
Amsterdam Smart City
Amsterdam Smart City (ASC) is a joint scheme between the city’s residents, businesses and local authorities to create smart eco projects using innovative technology. These projects will be implemented first at community level and recycled later as models for climate and energy programmes on a national and European scale. ASC plans to ‘green’ Amsterdam within the next two years in four key areas: Working, Living, Mobility and Public Space.
So what’s the ASC got up its organic cotton sleeve?
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Smart meters and energy (feedback) display units are being introduced in more than 700 homes (built in the 50s) in the municipal district Geuzenveld. The project covers both (social) rented housing and property for sale.
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The prestigious ITO Tower on the Amsterdam South-axis will be equipped with SMART Building technology that calculates energy consumption. With this sensor-driven mechanism, modern buildings can greatly reduce their impact on the environment.
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Utrechtsstraat will raise from the current roadwork rubble in October 2010 as the first dedicated Climate Street of its kind. Under the focus area ‘Sustainable Public Space’ small businesses will be kitted out with smart plugs and energy meters. Other measures include BigBelly compact waste bins, rubbish collections by electric vehicles, and streetlamps that can be dimmed on quieter nights.
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73 shore power stations are to be installed at the Port of Amsterdam so that inland cargo vessels and river cruisers can connect to the electricity grid, instead of having to rely on pollutant diesel generators.
For a full list of initiatives, visit Amsterdam Smart City.
Moving the goal posts on climate change
Amsterdam ArenA is set to become famous for something other than football trophies – sustainability. Arena officials and the municipality of Amsterdam have signed an agreement that will render the stadium the first ecological sports facility of its kind anywhere in Europe.
The revamp will target energy and water consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and waste. Catering and technical facilities will also be targeted as part of the stadium’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2015. Officials are currently looking into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups – for which the Netherlands is bidding - can be held sustainably.
Whispering waters of Amsterdam canals
Amsterdam's waterways are being reduced to a bare whisper with the recent introduction of electric boats. Boaty is one of a handful of green-minded entrepreneurs to rent out battery-powered boats that literally tip toe along the water. These boats can be charged with renewable electricity at no extra cost to the environment, while you look out for the hidden canal-side museums in comfort. Amsterdam city hall is actively encouraging the use of boats using cleaner energy, granting new permits for hard-to-come-by mooring spaces. The electric boat experience can already be enjoyed from the famous Okura Hotel. Ahoy there!
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