Entrepreneurs hope Amsterdam city council will show some innovative leadership and stop postponing important decisions, says Koos Weits.

To govern is to look ahead, and you would think that is exactly what Amsterdam city council would be doing. Yet nothing could be farther from the truth. Decisions regarding sensitive issues are being postponed indefinitely or not taken at all.

This may keep the city council on an even keel but it is creating a lot of insecurity for entrepreneurs, with necessary developments relegated to some distant future. Amsterdam Region Business Association ORAM wants the next council to bite the bullet and stop procrastinating.

Amsterdam council’s filibustering is best illustrated by the following examples.

Example 1: Will the North-South Line ever reach Schiphol?

Will the North-South metro line be extended to Schiphol airport or Amstelveen? It’s been endlessly discussed but no decision has been taken. ORAM favours the extension to Schiphol. We think a link with Schiphol would present an excellent opportunity for the continuing development of the area between the airport and Amsterdam and would improve accessibility.

A metro stop at Rieker Business Park would do much to improve accessibility to this office location. This is absolutely vital now that accessibility is under threat because of cutbacks on public transport.  

No decision until 2017!

This kind of infrastructure takes decades to build and a quick decision is therefore of the essence. However, the city council in all its wisdom has decided not to decide now but to wait until 2017, when the North South Line reaches completion. Only then will they look into the matter. This leaves the entrepreneurs at Rieker Business Park in limbo.

Example 2: Housing in the port area or not?

Another typical example is the discussion about housing in the port area. ORAM is not in favour of the council’s plans regarding housing in the Coenhaven and Vlothaven. The plans are part of the Structuurvisie 2040. The only decision not included in this policy document is whether or not to build housing in the area.

We’re putting it off until 2025!

Instead, the local council has decided to postpone the decision until 2025! ORAM is worried about the effect this will have on the companies which already have a presence in the area. We think the lack of security caused by this decision will be damaging for companies.

Industry and port-related businesses will only invest if long-term continuity can be guaranteed so, inevitably, development in the Coenhaven and Vlothaven will grind to a halt.

Elections

ORAM is watching the March local elections with interest and hopes the new leaders won’t be afraid to look to the future.

Koos Weits is ORAM area manager for Schiphol and Zuidas.