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E V E RY T H I N G W T C A M S T E R D A M - S P R I N G 2 0 1 6
INTERVIEW
‘WTC tenants now
have a voice,’ says
AALT LEUSINK
NEWS ROUND UP
A new house style, a new
home for the expatcenter and
the real green in the WTC
ON YOUR BIKE
Ditch the car to beat the jams
in Zuidas this summer
WHAT’S ON
Essential WTC diary dates
for the next three months
1
WTC BUSINESSES
FIT20
QBIC HOTEL
LOBBY H/I
FACILITY SQUARE
CENTRAL HALL
2
1
Do you still keep using that old
‘no time’ excuse not to get fit?
2
An early-morning meeting or are you
CORRIDOR
staying late at the office? The 82-room
Qbic Hotel in World Trade Center
The answer is here in the WTC.
Fit 20 is intensive personal
Amsterdam is the comfortable,
training of 20 minutes a week.
chic and smart overnight option.
www.fit20.nl
www.qbichotels.com
NEW FACES IN WTC AMSTERDAM
BRISTOL GLOBAL MOBILITY EUROPE
SHAMROCK VASTGOED
Bristol Global Mobility manages customised global employee
Shamrock Vastgoed BV acquires and sells investments in
mobility projects for corporate clients and their staff. The
the Dutch, Belgium, British and German property markets -
company has a carefully sourced, selected and managed
mainly non-residential - on behalf of international institutional
network of more than 1,000 BristolNet Partners in 150
and private clients. The company develops an individual
countries to ensure a seamless global relocation process.
assessment of where the best opportunities can be found.
Tower C, Level 5
Tower C, Level 5
Bristolglobal.com
Shamrockvastgoed.nl
STELLA AGENCY
NEW TO THE WTC?
Stella Agency is an international hostess agency which provides
There are currently 350 companies based in the WTC but
high-profile clients with talented front-office staff for short and
new faces are moving in all the time. If your company has just
long term assignments worldwide. These include reception
leased space or if you have expanded your office and would
services, exhibitions, congresses, company and sports events.
like to let the rest of the complex know, please get in touch.
Send an email to wstegen@wtcamsterdam.com.
2
Tower A, Level 5
Tower B, Level 2, Central Hall
Stella-agency.nl
wtcamsterdam.com
WTC TODAY - SPRING 2016
OVENSTRAAT
ZUIDER AMSTELKANAAL
BEATRIXPARK
CONTENTS
THOMASKERK
BRITISH
SCHOOL
WERK- GEERT GROOTE
COLLEGE
TERREIN
EN SCHOOL
DE FRED
TWEEDE
OPENLUCHT
SCHOOL
HANDEL
WERKTERREIN AMSTERDAM
THE PAVILLION
WERKTERREIN
TELESTO
OLYMPIC
PLAZA
PARNASSUSWEG
RIETVELD
ACADEMIE
LOYENS
& LOEFF
UCZ
AAT
PRINSES IRENESTR
FRESH
FIELDS
AICS
WINTERTHUR
STRAWINSKYHUIS
STRAWINSKYLAAN
STIBBE
BEGRAAFPLAATS
BUITENVELDERT
RECHTBANK
WERKTERREIN
STIBBE EN
AKZONOBEL
WTC
ATRIUM
AKZO
WERKTERREIN
RECHTBANK
DIVERSION
WERKTERREIN
ATRIUM
8
A10
IN TE RV IE W
Aalt Leusink is one of
4
6
WTC NE WS
MO BILITY
Art, sport and going green
How do you get to work on time?
P
S108
VUmc/
ACTA
T
AA
VU
STR
SPOEDEISENDE
HULP
EN
DE BOELELAAN
ANTONIO VIVALDISTRAAT
OV
O|2
P
TH
SPORTCLUB
BUITENVELDERT
AFC
GUSTAV MAHLERLAAN
E
BE
BUITENVELDERTSELAAN
GUSTAV MAHLERLAAN
ACTA
tenants association
ANTONIO VIVALDISTRAAT
P2
VUmc
POLIKLINIEK
the faces in the new
PARNASSUSWEG
THE EDGE/
DELOITTE
P
IKC
RAVEL
RESIDENCE
DE BOELELAAN
OZW
DE BOELEL
VU
VUmc
P1
VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT
10
R OA D M AP
12
14
15
O UT AND ABOUT
Z UID A S N E WS
D IA RY D AT ES
WTC events
Celebrating bikes and music
What’s on at the WTC
Major road works this summer
ARENT JANSZOON ERNSTSTRAAT
THE WTC NEEDS YOU
SUMMER
VAN LEIJENBERGHLAAN
DIVERSION
ARENT JANSZOO
ARENT JANSZOON ERNSTSTRAAT
BUITENVELDERTSELAAN
VAN DER BOECHORSTSTRAAT
aat)
DIVERSION
further 3,000 square metres, so I hope that by the end of
the year, more than half of the tower will be rented out.
One thing we will be asking all our new and existing
While most of us will be heading
off
on
a
summer
GIJSBRECHT VAN AEMSTELPARK
tenants is to take part in a short survey in the coming
holiday at some point over the next few weeks, we
months to establish how the thousands of people employed
hope those of you who are left behind will lend a hand
at the WTC actually get to work. The information,
based
to help us with a couple of major calls to action in the
GIJSBRECHT VAN AEMSTELPARK
GIJSBRECHT VAN
AEMSTELPARK
on your postcode, will be used to devise a strategy to make
coming period.
sure the WTC and the rest of Zuidas remain
accessible
The first project involves our new tenants’ association
VAN NIJENRODEWEG
VAN NIJENRODEWEG
VAN a
NIJENRODEWEG
during in the future and during the road works which
which will give you, our tenants,
bigger voice in
are due to start. For more on that, see page 10.
how the WTC is run and how we, as a major Zuidas
According to our quick-fire survey on page 6, the bike
player, act on your behalf in dealings with the
is the most popular way of getting to the WTC. And
surrounding projects and city hall. All new tenants
Christiaan Huijg, Managing Director
CONSTRUCTION AREA 2
DIVERSION 2
DIVERSION 1
even though I live in Heerhugowaard,
which is some
will automatically
become
members
of
the
association
World
Trade
Center
Amsterdam
DE BOELELAAN OOST
VUmc and Van der Boechorststraat
Gustav Mahlerlaan and VUmc
50 kilometres away by (via
car, s108)
I’ve joined the ranks of the
when they (From
sign the
lease and existing
tenants will
Beethovenstraat
till Europaboulevard)
(via s108)
all be invited to join. We hope many of our tenants Among the new tenants in the WTC will be the pioneers bike commuters one day a week. Door to door it takes
will become actively involved and by setting up this moving into the renovated I tower around the beginning me about two hours – because it involves a ferry crossing
body we will be better able to serve you and represent of next year. Work on the redevelopment starts mid- – but I have to say I really enjoy it. You have to plan
your views. The association will have a board and September and is scheduled to take around 3.5 months. properly – it’s not easy to carry a laptop on a racing bike
an advisory panel with members from 20 different I’m pleased to say that we’ve reached agreements with and you need to have clean clothes at the office – but I’m
companies covering a cross-section of WTC tenants. a few new tenants and 5,000 square metres has already really feeling the benefits. In the meantime, I wish you all
You can read more about the association on page 8.
been leased. We are in talks with potential tenants for a a very pleasant summer.
WTC TODAY - SPRING 2016
3
WTC NEWS
Summer sports season
There’s a great summer of sport ahead of us, not
least of which is the European athletics championships in Amsterdam from July 6 to 10. Dutch
golden girl Dafne Schippers is hot favourite to
take the 200m title and Business Club members
are invited to see the race live as part of an even-
ing VIP package. As an added bonus, the men’s
100m final is the last event of the night. And in
September, it’s time to practice your swing for the
traditional golf tournament between WTC Amsterdam and WTC Schiphol. More information at
WWW.WTCAMSTERDAMBUSINESSCLUB.COM
COPPER
AND COLOUR
Central hall is currently home to René Donders’ intriguing copper sculptures which
hover between figurative and abstract art.
Some of the works appear human, others animal or reptilian and many have a
dream-like quality. Colour is an important
part of the design and Donders uses oxidation and coloured lacquer to increase the
intensity of the image. And if you have ever
fancied turning a hand to sculpture yourself, Donders’ studio is in Tilburg where he
also gives lessons. For more information
WWW.RENEDONDERS.COM
EXPATCENTER
EXPANSION
Such is the success of the Amsterdam expatcenter, where international workers go to have their
paperwork processed in a one-stop-shop, that the
team have moved to a new location along central
hall in D tower. ‘We were really cramped but now
we have twice as much space and have been able
to expand our services as well,’ says operations
manager Sietske vanTuin. Last year the centre
helped 10,000 new arrivals find their feet and this
is set to go up by 20% in 2016. The expatcenter
has also just started working with ACCESS, a
volunteer network of expats providing advice for
their peers. WWW.IAMSTERDAM.COM/EN/
EXPATCENTER
4
WTC TODAY - SUMMER 2016
WTC NEWS
Car park
capacity
This summer a number of major road projects
start in the area around the WTC and it will be
more complicated to access the WTC car park
from junction S108 from the A10 ring road. However, the RAI exhibition centre has come up with
a company car pool system to maximise the use
of its car park spaces on days when no big events
are being staged. The car park can be accessed directly from junction S109 and is an 11 minute walk
across the Beatrix park to the WTC. For more information, contact B.BOUWMAN@RAI.NL.
A STYLE MAKEOVER
The new WTC Amsterdam website
is up and running and you have
probably noticed the new colour
scheme and improved readability.
But the website revamp is one part
of a major overhaul of the WTC’s
house style which will cover just
about everything – from the signage
on top of the building to brochures
and the narrowcasting monitors.
‘The aim’, says Wijkje Stegen, Manager Marketing & Communications, ‘is to boost the WTC as
a recognisable brand, both within the Netherlands and internationally.’
Use your voice
WTC tenants can now join the newly formed
tenants’ association to have a greater voice in
WTC affairs. Representatives of all the 350 companies in the WTC are invited to sign up. The
aim is to create a streamlined, non-bureaucratic
organisation which can get its teeth stuck into
issues which affect everyone within the WTC
complex. From the catering to the car parks –
we’d like to know what you think. There is an interview with association member Aalt Leuskink
on page 8. For more information, contact
MANAGEMENT@WTCAMSTERDAM.COM
Plant life
There are some 50 plants and trees in the WTC’s
public places, ranging from the simple ficus to
seven metre high Washingtonia palms. ‘Greenery is very important in a business environment
and has a positive impact on air quality and even
the smell,’ says Wilco Boender, commercial manager at Verheij Integrale Groenzorg. ‘And it has
been scientifically proven that plants have a positive impact on people in an office as well.’ The
amount of light is key in deciding where to place
the plants, and they all have their own watering
schedule. ‘But they are not fond of coffee,’ says
Boender, pointedly. The company also offers
a greenery service for individual offices, ranging from a small plant to a complete green wall.
WWW.VERHEIJBV.NL
WTC TODAY - SUMMER 2016
5
Bike, metro,
on foot, car?
Several major road projects start up around
the WTC this summer, which will make it
more difficult to get to work if you come by
car. We asked WTC workers for their tips on
getting to the office on time.
JOANA GONCALVES, PAULINE HULSHOF & LISETTE MEIJER
MARCO VERHEUL
HUDSON ADVISORS NETHERLANDS B.V.
& TIM VERDRIET SHIRE
PAULINE: Do not go by car! That’s my tip.
TIM: Travel by metro, the num-
JOANA: Just get your bike, that’s the most effective and efficient way of
getting around in Amsterdam, in general.
PAULINE: Yeah, in general, but also here in Zuidas.
LISETTE: I come by bike too. It’s definitely easier and it’s quick.
ber 51, and make sure you allow
yourself one hour to get here.
MARCO: My tip to get here on
time? Go to work late to beat the
rush hour. I arrived at around 12.
LUC SPEE GEMEENTE AMSTERDAM
I don’t have a car. I live in Zuidoost
and it’s quicker to come by train but I
like to cycle. It takes more or less half
an hour. I get up at 7am and I leave
home about 8.15am.
6
WTC TODAY - SUMMER 2016
VOX POPULI
YORIYUKI HIRAYAMA
WATARU IKEZAKI & HAJIME
TOYOTA MOTOR FINANCE (NETHERLANDS) B.V.
SUGAWARA EIKEN CHEMICAL
I come on foot. I live about 30 minutes away. Sometimes I come by bus but never by bike. I go to the gym
about twice a week - do some cycling and running that helps me be nice and clear-headed for work.
WATARU: I come by tram, from
Amstelveen. I have a dog, so usually I take
an early morning walk with him first.
HAJIME: Me, I just skip breakfast, every
day to get here on time.
LOES VAN DOORMAAL
MARCO SELLER KEMPEN & CO
CHANTAL BLITS ABERDEEN
ENI INTERNATIONAL
I come to work by bike. My best piece of
advice would be that you get out of bed as
early as you can, and take all the time you
need to have a decent breakfast; then you
can be relaxed as you move towards getting
on your bike and heading to the office.
I come here by bicycle because I
live in Amsterdam. It’s the best
way because you never have to
worry about traffic, which can
slow you down.
I come from Scheveningen so first I have
to jump on my bike and then take the train.
If everything goes well then I’m usually
here twenty minutes early. So, yeah, set
the alarm clock early. I’m someone who
likes to take it slow, take my time eating,
showering; so I’d rather get up a bit earlier.
ASSET MANAGEMENT
TESSA VAN DER POL &
OTMAR CAROLUS TCAM B.V.
TESSA: I took the train today.
OTMAR: Just leave on time.
DAVID DE VRIES
TESSA: Leave early!
LOGEX B.V.
OTMAR: Try and take into
consideration that there might
be traffic jams, that’s it.
I walk, I live around the
corner. I just set, like,
five alarms. I need it.
WTC TODAY - SUMMER 2016
7
INTERVIEW
Aalt Leusink
WANTS TO HELP GIVE WTC TENANTS A VOICE
The WTC is like a lively village, says Aalt Leusink, who is set to join the board
of a new WTC tenants’ association. ‘Now all it needs is the village council.’
PHOTOGRAPHY: ANNE LAKEMAN
It’s been a while in the planning but the final
touches are now being put to the paperwork for a
new WTC tenants’ association. The aim is to get
tenants involved and give them a voice in WTC
and Zuidas affairs in a positive way, without creating a new bureaucracy. ‘The WTC is like a village under a single roof,’ says Aalt Leusink, who is
associate director and head of general affairs at the
finance division of MUFG Bank (Europe). ‘There
is a liveliness about it which I thoroughly enjoy.’
OFFICIAL
The WTC has had an informal tenants panel to
talk about issues such as the building’s facilities
for some time, but now the step is being taken to
establish a more formal association with an official statute, a board and a regular scheme of four
meetings a year. All new tenants will automatically
become members when they sign their lease and
current tenants are being invited to join as well.
‘The idea is to represent the tenants’ interests in
dealing with our landlord, as well as exchange
ideas and information and deal with practical issues,’ says Aalt, who is set to become one of several board members. ‘Everyone is busy in their own
offices but we don’t all need to reinvent the wheel.
Sometimes individual tenants come up with a really good idea which can benefit the rest of us. We
8
WTC TODAY - SUMMER 2016
just need a more effective mechanism to share it.’
In addition, the association will be able to act on
behalf of tenants towards the outside world, such as
the city council, which is of particular importance
at the moment. ‘Obviously, tenants are a lot stronger if there is a body which can say “we represent 350
WTC companies”,’ Aalt points out. ‘For example,
we in the WTC may have a different idea to people
south of the railway line about developments when
it comes to car parking. It is important that the
voices of as many people as possible are heard.’
LOBBYING
That formal lobbying role is important to the
WTC’s management who believe the new set-up
will give much more weight, given the changes Zuidas is going through and will continue to go through
for years to come. Unlike many of the buildings in
Zuidas, the WTC is a multi-tenant complex. While
some companies are represented by just one or two
people, others employ over 100 staff. MUFG Bank,
for example, has 140 members of staff.
‘I take a great deal of pleasure in being involved
with people from so many different nationalities,’
says Aalt. ‘Our own staff come from all over the
world but work together as a team, as colleagues.
I would like to see that in the tenants’ association.
Then we can create a real WTC feeling. After all,
as tenants, we are all in it together.’
Despite his fondness for the big city, Aalt is a village man. His trip from home in the east of the
country takes up to two hours a day by train. He’s
made the long daily journey for the past 10 years
and has watched the way Zuidas has changed. ‘It’s
busier and it’s better,’ he says. ‘It used to be dead
after 6pm but now there are bars and cafes and of
course people live here. People still think Zuidas
is a sterile place full of offices and people rushing
around being self-important. But it really isn’t.
And I really appreciate the mix of people.’
LONG-TERM
As the WTC association begins to find its feet,
Aalt expects the initial focus to be on more practical, facility-orientated issues and he stresses that
he and his fellow board members are not in the
business of planning a revolution. ‘For me it is
about continuous improvements and looking for
ways to do things better,’ he said. ‘I am not about
change for the sake of it, but change to improve
the way we operate.’
Take, for example, the annual emergency evacuation test. ‘Lots of people don’t have a clue what
to do when the alarms sound, even though they’ve
got all the information,’ he says. ‘And then some
people simply ignore it. But if we work together as
‘WE MAY HAVE
DIFFERENT IDEAS TO
COMPANIES SOUTH
OF THE RAILWAY’
About the tenants’
association
All tenants are invited to join
There will be four meetings a year
The more members, the better
Tenants will have a voice
The association can lobby on behalf of
WTC tenants
tenants, we can make sure everyone knows what to
do. It would also be good, for example, if the WTC
offered specific training in emergency procedures.’
Another area where peer pressure can play a
role is in dealing with waste. ‘The WTC has
made great strides in encouraging tenants to
separate their waste properly, but there are still
those who want to dump everything in one
bag,’ he points out. ‘Perhaps, and I am speaking personally here, we could have a competition to find out which company makes the most
progress – who is the champion when it comes
to cutting waste. After all, here in the WTC we
run for good causes, so why not turn our rubbish into a competition too?’
WTC TODAY - SUMMER 2016
9
WTC MOBILITY ISSUES
G
NWE
IO
STAD
SS
PARNA
G
USWE
NPLEIN
STADIO
OLYMPISCH
STADION
AMSTERDAM
DIVERSION
ZUIDER AMSTELKANAAL
THOMASKE
RIETVELD
ACADEMIE
LOYENS
& LOEFF
BRITISH
SCHOOL
WERK- GEERT GROOTE
COLLEGE
TERREIN
EN SCHOOL
DE FRED
AMSTELVEENSEWEG
WERKTERREIN
THE PAVILLION
WERKTERREIN
TELESTO
OLYMPIC
PLAZA
PARNASSUSWEG
DIVERSION
TWEEDE
OPENLUCHT
SCHOOL
HANDEL
AMSTERDAM
UCZ
T
PRINSES IRENESTRAA
FRESH
FIELDS
AICS
W
STRAWINSKYHUIS
STRAWINSKYLAAN
STIBBE
BEGRAAFPLAATS
BUITENVELDERT
WTC
ATRIUM
RECHTBANK
AKZO
WERKTERREIN
RECHTBANK
DIVE
WERKTERREIN
ATRIUM
S108
PARNASSUSWEG
A10
THE EDGE/
DELOITTE
P2
VUmc
POLIKLINIEK
P
GUSTAV MAHLERLAAN
ACTA
JACH
SPORTCLUB
BUITENVELDERT
O|2
GUSTAV MAHLERLAAN
BUITENVELDERTSELAAN
PAD
SKÜTSJES
VUmc/
ACTA
ENWE
THAV
DE BOELELAAN
DE BOELELAAN
G
SPOEDEISENDE
HULP
VU
OZW
VU
VUmc
P1
VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT
DIVERSION
ARENT JANSZOON ERNS
E-bike experiments
BUITENVELDERTSELAAN
AMSTELVEENSEWEG
VAN DER BOECHORSTSTRAAT
ARENT JANSZOON ERNSTSTRAAT
The WTC is currently involved in two initiatives to
DIVERSION
reduce traffic congestion using electric bikes. One
project involves e-bikes which can be borrowed
from the WTC itself and returned to the same
location. The second is a Zuidas-wide experiment
GIJSBRECHT VAN AEMSTELPARK
involving e-bikes which can be left elsewhere in
the area. At press time, no decision had been
taken about which project, if either, should get the
GIJSBRECHT VAN AEMSTELPARK
green light. More next issue.
10
WTC TODAY - SUMMER 2016
VAN NIJENRODEWEG
VAN NIJENRODEWEG
How to keep moving this summer
SCHELDEPLEIN
WIELINGENSTR
AAT
Several major infrastructure projects hit Zuidas
this summer, making it much more
P
difficult to access the WTC by car. A number of diversions have been set up and
the city council has promised extra measures to reduce congestion but delays will be
inevitable. Here’s a round-up of the main issues.
BEETHOVENSTRAAT
ERK
WTC MOBILITY ISSUES
VE
E
OS
RO
BEATRIXPARK
RAI
CONSTRUCTION AREA 1
DE BOELELAAN WEST
(Intersection Van der Boechorststraat)
WINTERTHUR
CONSTRUCTION AREA 2
DE BOELELAAN OOST
(From Beethovenstraat till Europaboulevard)
P
DIVERSION 1
Gustav Mahlerlaan and VUmc
(via s108)
DIVERSION 2
VUmc and Van der Boechorststraat
(via s108)
DIVERSION 3
VU and Zuidas Centre
(via s109)
DETOUR CYCLISTS
AND PEDESTRIANS
PRESIDENT KEN
NEDYLAAN
EUROPABOUL
WERKTERREIN
STIBBE EN
AKZONOBEL
RAI
RAI
P
STADSDEEL
KANTOOR
ZUID
EVARD
ERSION
A10
SYNAGOGE
ANTONIO VIVALDISTRAAT
AFC
BE
P
ANTONIO VIVALDISTRAAT
DIVERSION
DOMENICO SCARLATTILAAN
BARBARA STROZZILAAN
P
IKC
ZENDMAST
ALBINONISTR.
RAVEL
RESIDENCE
BEGRAAFPLAATS
ZORGVLIED
P
S109
HOLIDAY
INN
DE BOELELAAN
EUROPABOULEVARD
T
AA
TR
NS
VE
HO
ET
STSTRAAT
N
AA
L
LT
A10
NOVOTEL
THE STRAWINSKYLAAN
is carried out on the cabling and drains. This
The Strawinskylaan is being given a six month
means you won’t be able to access the WTC
overhaul starting at the end of September.
from the A10 ring road at junction S108.
ARENT JANSZOON ERNSTSTRAAT
Much of the initial work will take part at night
VAN LEIJENBERGHLAAN
when the section between the Beethoven-
Check www.gvb.nl for up to date information.
BUS SERVICES
Buses will use detours involving the
TRAIN SERVICES
Van Nijenrodeweg and Buiten-
straat and Strawinskyhuis will be closed to
There will be no trains to and
traffic. Later, public transport and road ac-
from Station Zuid from August 1
– Parnassusweg
– Strawinskylaan while the
AMSTELPARK
cess will be disrupted. More next issue.
to August 9.
junction is closed.
TRAM SERVICES
EUROPABOULEVARD
THE BOELELAAN WEST
veldertselaan and the Stadionweg
THE BOELELAAN EAST
The junction between the Boelelaan and
Tram 16 will operate for most of the
Work on overhauling this section of the
the Van der Boechorststraat will close com-
summer but there will be no services
AMSTEL
Boelelaan started in March. In September,
pletely to all but bike traffic from July 1 until
in the weekend of July 2 and 3 and
the road will be reduced from four lanes to
GIJSBRECHT VAN AEMSTELPARK
August 29 while essential engineering work
from Saturday August 6 to Monday August 15.
two and diversions will be in operation.
VAN NIJENRODEWEG
WTC TODAY - SUMMER 2016
11
BUSINESS CLUB
YOUR GOOD HEALTH
Water infused with cucumber and green apples
was among the refreshments on offer to WTC
Business Club members at March’s seminar on
promoting good health at work. Some 75 members came along to listen to a range of experts
including Peter Kuijper, who talked about vitality
and mindfulness trainer Robert Bridgeman.
ZUIDAS RUN
The WTC was once again a
proud sponsor of the annual
Zuidas Run. This year’s races
raised €12,703 for the VU
medical centre’s childhood
cancer research project.
12
WTC TODAY - SUMMER 2016
EVENT
AN ACE DAY OUT
A select group of WTC Business Club
members got together with former world
number one doubles player Jacco Eltingh
and his coaching team for an afternoon
of tennis in May. In good tennis tradition,
rain stopped play for a time and the evening finished with a well-earned drink.
The first 10 runners to cross the
finishing line in the 10 mile race will take
part in the Dam to Dam race in September
as the Winners Team Zuidas Run. Follow
them via FACEBOOK.COM/ZUIDASRUN
WTC TODAY - SUMMER 2016
13
ZUIDAS NEWS
A festival of bikes
Work only started on the bike park under
the Gustav Mahlerplein last year but in July
it will be formally opened with three days
of festivities. The park will have space for
3,000 bikes, including 200 which can be
rented through the public transport OVfiets scheme. The celebrations, which run
at lunchtime from July 12 to 14, include a
picnic on the Mahlerplein itself, charity
fundraising, the chance to test out e-bikes
and some amazing stunt bikes.
ZUIDAS SUSTAINABILITY
The fourth edition of the Zuidas Sustainability Report gives a breakdown
of the broad spectrum of initiatives underway to make Zuidas a greener and
more pleasant place for everyone who lives and works here. Next year’s targets include a commitment to slash energy usage and focus on local generation projects, further boost the use of bikes and public transport, reduce
waste and develop pilot projects to cope with the effect of extreme rainfall.
Ambitious young professionals are also being invited to take part in this
year’s Green Business Challenge to set up a concrete sustainable project in
Zuidas within a few months. WWW.GREENBUSINESSCHALLENGE.NL
Meet the real
people of Zuidas
Zuidas today is as much about its residents and builders as big
business and that is what city officials aim to highlight in a new
series of photographs. And no, these pictures are not posed
by models - they are the real people of Zuidas. The photos are
part of a new communications strategy to make sure everyone
is kept on top of the latest developments.
SUMMER MUSIC CONCERTS
If you are not a classical music buff but you’ve wondered about Gustav Mahler’s music, you can find out more in August when the Gustav Mahlerplein
hosts a late afternoon concert as part of the Grachtenfestival. Pelgrim Brass
will perform music by Mahler himself, as well as Brahms and other composers from the period. There are three other Zuidas concerts taking place.
On Tuesday, August 16, 10-piece brass and percussion ensemble Latoen will
perform a lunchtime concert in the Beatrix park. On Tuesday, August 16, the
Hello Zuidas orgaisation hosts a members’ only concert at Loyens & Loeff.
On Wednesday, August 17, the Noota saxophone duo perform suitably summery music at the Summertime residential complex.
Full details on WWW.GRACHTENFESTIVAL.NL
14
WTC TODAY - SUMMER 2016
WTC EVENTS
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
FRIDAY, JUNE 24
THURSDAY, JULY 7
ZUIDAS
SUMMER PARTY
WTC BUSINESS CLUB
Drinks, live music and lots
Athletics championships, including
of food to start off the summer
(hopefully) Dafne Schippers
with a swing on Zuidplein
in the 200m final.
A VIP visit to the European
TUESDAY, JULY 14
ZUIDAS CYCLES
The start of three days of festivities
to launch the new park for 3,000 bikes
under the Gustav Mahlerplein
AUGUST 16-18
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
GRACHTENFESTIVAL
SUMMER SAIL
Four concerts are taking place
Join other WTC tenants for an
in Zuidas as part of this year’s
afternoon messing around in
Grachtenfestival music extravaganza
boats, followed by a barbecue
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
GREEN BUSINESS
CHALLENGE
WTC BUSINESS CLUB
Defend the honour of WTC
This year’s four-month campaign
Amsterdam in the traditional
to make Zuidas greener kicks off with
golf Ryder Cup tournament
a weekend of intensive training
against WTC Schiphol.
CREDITS
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Anne Lakeman
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WTC TODAY - SUMMER 2016
15
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