ZUIDAS INNOVATION DISTRICT
AMSTERDAM
Netherlands
Amsterdam Zuidas is the Netherlands’ premier international business district and a designated innovation district, strategically transforming from a mono-functional office area into a vibrant, mixed-use urban centre. Zuidas is a evolution that integrates high-density living, working, and innovation with a strong emphasis on sustainability, connectivity, and quality of life, creating a dynamic 24/7 urban environment.
It is a vibrant urban hub located between Amsterdam city centre and Schiphol Airport, covering 245 hectares. It hosts over 700 companies and 45,000 employees, blending business, education, research, and residential spaces. Key institutions include Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC. The district is undergoing major infrastructure upgrades through the Zuidasdok project, improving transport and accessibility. By 2030, nearly 7,000 diverse homes, schools, cafes, retail, and cultural amenities will create a lively mixed-use neighbourhood. Zuidas is a leading innovation and business centre, fostering entrepreneurship and international collaboration in a sustainable, people-centred environment.
Future Cities criteria compliance
Environmental & Nature
It is dedicated to becoming an energy-neutral and waste-free neighbourhood by 2030. New buildings are constructed without natural gas and must achieve net zero energy standards, utilizing local sources like thermal energy storage and district heating. The district actively pursues a circular economy via the “Zero Waste Zuidas” commitment, focusing on waste reduction and material reuse in construction.
Smart City
Zuidas serves as a living lab for smart urban solutions. The district features The Edge, considered one of the world’s most sustainable and smart office buildings, utilizing a connected LED network and an app-based workplace experience. The area promotes smart mobility with extensive EV charging infrastructure, shared mobility hubs, and integration with the “Maas” (Mobility as a Service) platform. The Zuidasdok project itself is a feat of advanced civil engineering and digital construction.
Human-Centric
The hyper-urban plan prioritizes the flow of people through the Sustainably Accessible Zuidflank Mobility Plan, which shifts emphasis from cars to pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit.
The district includes diverse housing, the VU University Medical Centre, international schools (e.g., British School of Amsterdam), the World Trade Centre, and public spaces like the Gershwinplein, The “Valley” project by MVRDV exemplifies by combining offices with over 200 apartments, a skybar, and publicly accessible green terraces, blurring the lines between private and public realms. It promotes walkability and human-scale living through high-density, mixed-use zoning and the creation of attractive, well-landscaped public spaces.
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