Approximately 400 m in length, Maurice Ravellaan will ultimately be the main access route to the municipal Goed Genoeg sports park, where AFC plays, and to the Ravel residential district currently under development. The avenue, extending from Gustav Mahlerlaan, begins at the junction with Beethovenstraat and runs in an easterly direction to Antonio Vivaldistraat. Currently, the builders are still hard at work completing the residential district, which is why Maurice Ravellaan will be closed to traffic for several months again later this year.
Comfortable entrance
For pedestrians, there is a spacious waterside promenade, next to the brand-new Ravelgracht with an access bridge leading to the AFC football pitches halfway along it. On the other side of the footpath, there is a wide green strip with a separate cycle path next to it. Next to that is a carriageway for traffic in both directions, currently still fenced off on the south side. That is where the construction site for the new Ravel residential district is located and cars will never go beyond that point: Ravel will be a car-free neighbourhood.
Avenues and streets in Zuidas
Did you know that we use the term laan (or avenue/lane) for roads that run in an easterly and westerly direction in Zuidas, such as Maurice Ravellaan? For the roads that take you from north to south (and vice-versa), we use the word straat (or street), such as Beethovenstraat.
From Zuidoost to Zuid
Chief public spaces designer Joost de Wit previously told us that Maurice Ravellaan is set to be much more than just the entrance to the Ravel residential district and the AFC football club. Maurice Ravellaan completes the route running in a straight line from the Kenniskwartier innovation district in the west of Zuidas (where VU Amsterdam is located) to the Ravel residential district in the east. It also creates lots of connections with the rest of the city, including for cyclists from Amsterdam Zuidoost wishing to get to Amsterdam Zuid station.
From Buitenveldert to Beatrixpark
More locally, walkers from Buitenveldert can take Maurice Ravellaan and Beethovenstraat to reach Beatrixpark. In the future, this will also be possible via the still to be constructed Vivaldipassage, a tunnel for cyclists and pedestrians that will run from Antonio Vivaldistraat underneath the A10 Zuid all the way to Beatrixpark – but that will not happen until 2036.
Upcoming closure of Ravellaan
Starting in May 2025, we will begin work on the cables and pipelines at the Maurice Ravellaan/Beethovenstraat junction, next to the entrance to the Valley underground car park. Although we are closing Maurice Ravellaan to traffic from that side, it will still be possible to access the car park via Antonio Vivaldistraat on the other side of Maurice Ravellaan. We will keep you informed of developments.
Share article:
Give your opinion