Brochure Europe and Amsterdam (PDF, 2.6 MB)

Europe and Amsterdam Amsterdam on the way to becoming a Smart Global Hub 3

Europe and Amsterdam

Amsterdam on the way to becoming a Smart Global Hub

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Contents

Foreword 3

European Strategy for Amsterdam: an open city 5

Business hub 7

Knowledge and innovation 9

Sustainable urban development 10

Citizenship and participation 12

Summary of the European Strategy 14

European Strategy fits Amsterdam 15

Partnerships 16

What does Amsterdam have to offer Europe? 17

Quality of living and housing 19

More information and colophon 21

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Amsterdam on the way to becoming a Smart Global Hub


ForewordMy office looks out over an impressive statue of Baruch Spinoza. It’s a source of inspiration. Not only for the hundreds of tourists who take photos of it every day, or those who look up its meaning in their guide books, but certainly also for myself. He made an important contribution to the concept of Amsterdam liberality and symbolises the city’s appeal that has persisted across the centuries.

Amsterdam is an open, inclusive city with its eyes looking out on the world. And the rest of the world continues to look back at us, seeing a beautiful and interesting city that has a great deal to offer. Around 120 international companies establish new offices in Amsterdam every year, making us one of the frontrunners in Europe. But knowledge migrants and tourists also know that Amsterdam has plenty to offer them.

This does not mean that we rest on our laurels. The city council is dedicated to setting the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area more prominently on the European stage. We believe in Europe and the added value of European knowledge sharing. Between countries, regions and cities. Great challenges, such as the economy, employment, environment, sustainability or energy, are similar across borders and can only be solved by working together.

In 2012, the city council marked out a European Strategy for Amsterdam. This sees Amsterdam emphatically position itself as a European capital and this brochure explains how we plan to achieve this. I hope you enjoy reading about our plans.

Eberhard van der Laan,Mayor of Amsterdam

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The strength of Amsterdam and the surrounding region is built upon four pillars:

Its position as a business hub��

Knowledge development and innovation��

Sustainable urban development��

Active citizenship and participation��

The European Strategy for Amsterdam focuses on further strengthening these four pillars over the coming years. Taking an active role on the European stage is also essential. Europe is becoming increasingly important for internationally-oriented cities looking to tackle a variety of complex challenges.

Cara Mascini, Chief Marketing Officer AMS-IX:

“Amsterdam has always been open and neutral; these are the values that have made it

possible for us to connect so many of the players in the ICT community.”

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European Strategy for Amsterdam: an open city

Amsterdam and Europe have strong, historic bonds, both culturally and economically. Amsterdam is an international city that is open to new developments: a proud, compact and ‘smart’ metropolis that has much to offer Europe, but which also has strong connections with the rest of the world.


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Amsterdam wants to strengthen its position as a European business region and economic motor. In terms of trade position, Amsterdam falls into a similar category as Brussels, Frankfurt or Chicago. As a location for international headquarters, Amsterdam is fourth within the EU. The prosperity of Amsterdam and the surrounding region has traditionally been associated with its position as an international centre for business and trade. Europe and the rest of the world are drawn to the city because of its position as a gateway and the connection it makes between internationally-operating companies, organisations and cities. That’s good for the city and good for Europe.

Ambition

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Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission:

“By combining the strengths of the business community, the education sector and

government agencies and using this as a sound basis for collaboration, Amsterdam has

gained a competitive edge. Europe could learn from their example.”


Business hub

2,200 international companies, including approximately 460 international ��

headquarters.

A strong network of financial and corporate services.��

19% of employees (150,000) work for international companies.��

70% of Dutch exports are destined for other EU countries. The Amsterdam ��

Area accounts for a share of 13%.

A favourable tax environment for international companies.��

Optimal accessibility as a transport and trade hub: Amsterdam Airport ��

Schiphol (just 15 km from the centre of Amsterdam) offers direct connections to more than 300 destinations, including 140 locations within Europe. Schiphol is ranked third in Europe for cargo, and fourth for passenger traffic.

High Speed rail connections with London, Paris, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and ��

Brussels.

Two world ports within easy reach: Amsterdam and Rotterdam (75 km away).��

The Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX) is the second largest internet ��

exchange in the world.

What Amsterdam offers


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Through extensive collaboration between the business community, government agencies and the education sector, Amsterdam plans to become one of the top five knowledge regions in Europe. The various parties are united in the Amsterdam Economic Board as they work to further strengthen the international position of the knowledge region through targeted commitment to the innovative strength of seven international clusters:1. Creative industry2. Logistics & trade3. Financial & corporate services4. Food & flowers5. ICT and eScience6. Tourism & conferences7. Red Life Sciences

Sound coordination with national and European policies such as Innovation Union, Horizon2020 and Digital Agenda is essential for the future-proof economic development of these clusters.

Ambition

Harry van Dorenmalen, Chairman of IBM Europe:

“Smarter collaboration and improved efficiency, that’s what it’s all about. In the

‘Amsterdam Open Data Exchange’ we are making data available to businesses, students,

expats and residents to help them develop new products and services.”

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Knowledge and innovation

A highly educated workforce with broad language skills��

Two universities and many research institutes; more than 100,000 students��

Strong and flexible knowledge infrastructure��

An innovative services sector that recognises the value of business start-ups ��

and (new) enterprise



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Ambition

To grow as a ‘smart’ sustainable city. To do so, Amsterdam intends to use its knowledge in the fields of strategic spatial planning and sustainable development. Residents and businesses are involved with innovative developments, such as energy self-generation, electric transport, pilot projects for energy planning and climate neutral neighbourhoods. The ultimate aim is to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% by 2025. The city has the people, the knowledge, the creativity and the strength to take the necessary steps in pursuit of sustainability. As such, climate and energy cannot be viewed separately from resource usage, environment and economy.

Ernst-Jan Stigter, Director of Business, Marketing and Operations, Microsoft:

“The Netherlands is ideally suited for experiments. The average Dutch person is tolerant

of change, receptive to new technologies, and willing to take a critical look at the way

they work.”

Sustainable urban development

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Compact urban areas for pilot projects. For example, in the ��

field of electric transport.

Residents and businesses are keen to get involved with ��

shaping a sustainable future for their local environment.

Testing grounds for the deployment of intelligent digital ��

technology (92% of Amsterdammers has internet access and spends several hours per week online).

From 2015, all new buildings must be constructed as ��

climate neutral.

What Amsterdam offersSustainable urban development


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Amsterdam wants to be recognised throughout Europe as an accessible, social and tolerant city with equal opportunities for all. Diversity is one of the city’s chief characteristics. We are experimenting with new forms of participation and integration. The emphasis here is on language education and improving the connections between education institutes and the labour market. The city remains open and welcoming to others with different perspectives. These ambitions dovetail seamlessly with European flagships such as the ‘Agenda for new skills and jobs’ and ‘European platform against poverty and social exclusion’.

Ambition12

Citizenship and participation


A diverse population, drawing from 180 nationalities.��

A culture of transparency: an attractive city without an excessive number of ��

barriers.

Liveable and safe: Amsterdam presently holds 12th position in the top 25 of ��

world cities with the best quality of living.

Openness to innovation and experimentation with regard to the government-��

citizen relationship, such as via ‘open data’ and new forms of services.



Jo Peters, former Site Manager, Shell Research and Technology Center Amsterdam:

“Amsterdam won while India and China were considered as cost-saving alternatives.

Here, we could make cost savings and create a challenging environment. People from all

nationalities like to come and live here.”

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g

Amsterdam on the way to becoming a ‘Smart Global Hub’

And in a city of equal opportunities: focus on citizenship and participation.

… and this thrives best in a vibrant and attractive city: focus on sustainable urban development.

Knowledge and innovation is therefore needed to com-pete internatio-nally...

Summary of the European Strategy

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Four Amsterdam pillars with an EU dimension:

Amsterdam strengthens its position as a ‘connected city’ through international projects and relationships (inside and outside of the EU).

Business hub: expansion of the international trading position by creating new connections.


European Strategy fits Amsterdam

Europe emphasises research, innovation, employment and the green economy. The European strategies, such as those expressed in EU2020, fit perfectly with those of Amsterdam, and particularly so with the structure of the city’s economy and society. Both strategies are mutually complementary, also with regard to the social objectives.

Europe is becoming increasingly important for internationally-oriented cities such as Amsterdam looking to face a variety of complex challenges. Collaborative efforts and the effective coordination of policy mean that European cities and institutions are in turn of great importance to Amsterdam.


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Partnerships

Amsterdam is involved in dozens of European partnerships, networks and projects. For example:

EUROCITIES (vice chair of the Economic Development Forum, participating in 12 workgroups).��

Open Cities (Open Data and Open Innovation).��

Rainbow Cities (network for gay emancipation, encompassing nine cities).��

IREEN (sustainable urban development and test bed for smart energy solutions).��

TRANSFORM (planning towards the reduction of CO2 emissions).��

METREX and CASCADE (spatial development of metropolises).��

ECIA (European Creative Industries Alliance).��

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What does Amsterdam have to offer Europe?

Amsterdam offers European cities and institutions an international testing ground for new ideas in a dynamic, creative city with a diverse society. Prosperity, involvement, sustainability and the quality of living are well balanced. We recognise the added value of European cooperation and want to expand this further. As such, Amsterdam wants to draw on the strong pillars of the city to work towards accomplishing shared goals. This is beneficial for businesses, organisations, expats, students and tourists. Both inside and outside the European Union.


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57Costs of living

Amsterdam

was placed 57th

in the Cost of Living

rankings, an annual

survey of the costs of

housing, transportation,

food, clothing and

housekeeping across

214 world cities. As

such, Amsterdam

scored better than

other European

cities, including

London (18), Paris

(27), Milan (25) and

Copenhagen (17).

(Mercer Consulting,

2012)

Quality of living

Amsterdam was

ranked the second best city in which

to live, only topped

by Hong Kong. Cities

are tested for stability,

health care, cultural

quality, education

opportunities,

infrastructure and

spatial characteristics.

Amsterdam achieved

particularly high scores for culture

and infrastructure. (Economist Intelligence

Unit, 2012)

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4Business in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is in the

top 5 of best business

locations in Europe.

The city ranks fourth,

after London, Paris and

Frankfurt. Amsterdam’s

position has

improved rapidly

in the last years: from

8th place in 2009, to

6th in 2010 and 4th in

2011. (European Cities

Monitor Cushman &

Wakefield, 2011)

Internet

Amsterdam has the

world’s highest

percentage of fast

broadband users.

(Akamai, 2011)

13Innovation

Amsterdam ranks

third in the top 10 of

European innovative cities, after Paris and

Vienna. (2thinknow,

2011)


Amsterdam combines the advantages of a world city with the convenience of small-scale living. It features a rich cultural history, world famous museums and provisions for the international community, such as international schools and the Expatcenter. The surrounding region offers residents and visitors a diverse scene of villages, rivers, lakes and the coast, all within a 30 km radius.

Surface area: 220 km2; region: 2,580 km2 Population: 780,000; region: 2.3 millionNationalities: 180Bikes: 881,000 (estimate)Water: 52 km2

Canals: 165 (including the Canal Ring, on the UNESCO World Heritage List)

Trees: 400,000Parks: 40

International companies: more than 2,200 International headquarters: 464 Jobs at international companies: 150,000 (19%)

Concerts and theatre performances: 16,000 per yearTheatres and concert halls: 55

Quality of living and housing

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Akinori Kojima, President, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Europe:

“The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area boasts one of the most modern and best-equipped

airports in the world. Many of our potential customers pass through Amsterdam

Airport Schiphol almost every week.”


www.amsterdam.nl/europe

Mark Boekwijt ��

Representative of the City of Amsterdam in Brussels E [email protected] T + 31 6 3001 3429

Gerard den Boer�� Senior European Advisor Department of Economic Affairs City of Amsterdam E [email protected] T +31 6 1354 5774

Wouter van der Heijde�� Senior European Policy Advisor City of Amsterdam E [email protected] T +31 6 2342 1551

Esther Fructus �� Eurolink Policy Advisor and EUROCITIES contact person Department of Economic Affairs City of Amsterdam E [email protected] T +31 6 3071 7785


Colophon Text: Amsterdams Bureau voor Communicatie (ABC),

City of AmsterdamPhotos: City of Amsterdam, S. van der Torren (photo Eberhard

van der Laan), Frank van Beek (photo PET/MRI-scanner VUmc), Schiphol Amsterdam Airport

Graphic design: ABC Vorm, City of AmsterdamSources for quotes: AMS magazine (nr. 1/2012), Proud magazine (2011),

www.iamsterdam.com/business

More information

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Amsterdam and Europe

Documents

Brochure Europe and Amsterdam (PDF, 2.6 MB)