WORKING TOGETHER FOR AN ACCESSIBLE ZUIDAS

Zuidas is developing on all fronts. The major renovation of Amsterdam Zuid station and road works at De Nieuwe Meer and Amstel junctions are just a few of the projects radically changing the area. What was once primarily a traditional office district is now transforming into a dynamic urban quarter where a mix of functions come together, from housing and employment to shopping and leisure. But this impressive metamorphosis also poses some mobility challenges for the years ahead.

Zuidas Accessibility Task Force

The Zuidas Accessibility Task Force was set up with the mission to ensure ongoing physical access to the district and brings companies, organisations and public authorities together to discuss mobility issues and share knowledge. As users of the district, and with a shared responsibility for area access, the business community plays a key role.

Meet the chairperson and secretary

The Task Force is chaired by Stefan Titus, area development consultant at VU Amsterdam. Stefan is involved in VU campus development and brings his expertise to bear on the accessibility of Zuidas. He is assisted by Ilana Schmidt, Mobility and Accessibility project manager at Hello Zuidas. Ilana also works on area housing and residential issues, with a broad role supporting the development of Zuidas as a pleasant and accessible place to live.

“We all have an interest in keeping Zuidas accessible. Partly this involves making conscious choices about things like how, at what times and on which days of the week we commute. The city is also playing an important role. It has ambitious plans for keeping the district connected, and the Task Force serves as a sounding board for what can be done differently or better. Only by working together can we keep Zuidas accessible.” – Stefan Titus

Shared responsibility for area access

The ongoing expansion of Zuidas and proliferation of infrastructure projects here makes physical access a shared responsibility. The Zuidas Accessibility Task Force plays a facilitating role by connecting area users, and is instrumental in this regard. Its meetings are open to Hello Zuidas members, who make up a diverse group from a broad range of different sectors. Topics covered in previous Task Force meetings included logistics, traffic, parking, shared mobility and a work progress update on Zuidasdok. The Task Force will hold another series of five informational meetings in 2025 to discuss important mobility issues. The meetings are intended to keep all stakeholders informed of the latest developments and actively engage them in finding solutions to the challenges posed by the district’s growth.

“I am committed to ensuring Zuidas remains accessible, with a strong focus on mobility and collaboration. By sharing knowledge and connecting people, I help keep everyone well-informed and engaged in this dynamic area.” – Ilana Schmidt