Vivaldi neighbourhood changing, including the streetscape

With the arrival of the EMA and the Van der Valk hotel, the Vivaldi neighbourhood – located between the A10, De Boelelaan and Antonio Vivaldistraat – has already undergone significant development. In September 2020, we announced the arrival of one of the tallest wooden office buildings in the world. It will actually be next to the future Ravel residential district. In October 2020, we reported on the development of an eye-catcher in-between EMA and Van der Valk. These two developments called for the drafting of a new zoning plan. It was open for consultation from 24 December 2020 until 4 February 2021. We are currently processing five views submitted (by a total of 13 submitters). If all goes well, the City Council is set to approve the zoning plan in May 2020.

Further developments are also planned for the Vivaldi neighbourhood, including housing. We will shortly be initiating the zoning plan procedure for that. There is also a need to make improvements to the public realm. The aim is to provide more space for trees and other greenery and attractive places to spend time, as well as prioritising slow traffic (cyclists and pedestrians). These plans to improve public space had been collectively dubbed the Green Loop (‘de Groene Lus’) project. Work on it has already started. Domenico Scarlattilaan has been relandscaped and given a green strip that also serves to store water (a water-retardant green infiltration strip, see the photograph above). Attractive street furniture has also been added. Additionally, we installed a footpath leading from Tomasso Albinonistraat to RAI station, for the Van der Valk hotel. Incidentally, this footpath is not yet completed. The cycle path in Barbara Strozzilaan has also been refurbished.

These are not the only things happening to make the Vivaldi neighbourhood more attractive. We have already removed several car parking spaces and many more are set to disappear from Barbara Strozzilaan. We are introducing one-way traffic, creating more space for walking in the area. The aim is to create a car-free, sustainable, and green place for residents, people working locally, and visitors to spend time. In order to ensure everyone is properly informed about the Green Loop, we will shortly be planning talks with stakeholders and are organising an information session in May.