This is according to The global business districts attractiveness report 2025, published by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and EY. It compares 30 global business districts in terms of such aspects as attractiveness to talent, real estate, innovation, macroeconomic factors and sustainability. Worldwide, Zuidas ranks 12th.
‘Magnetic neighborhoods’
Zuidas performs particularly well when it comes to proximity to clients and markets. Amsterdam is seen as a gateway to international markets, with Schiphol as its main trump card. Zuidas also excels in terms of state-of-the-art real estate. Demand for premium and sustainable office accommodation is increasing worldwide. This trend is especially beneficial for Zuidas because it already has so much high-quality real estate. Another key asset is the outstanding transport infrastructure, especially the public transport hub Amsterdam Zuid, currently the subject of major investment as part of the Zuidasdok project. The report also praises the mix of employment, housing and recreation: the combination of vibrancy and amenities helps to retain talent and businesses. ULI and EY refer to business districts that have these qualities as ‘magnetic neighbourhoods’.
Complete city district
However, there are some areas for improvement. This basically refers to the need for Zuidas to continue on its charted course towards becoming a complete city district. One of the greatest threats is the lack of affordable housing. This makes it more difficult to retain talent. Speeding up (affordable) housebuilding is seen as a crucial imperative. Continued investment in sustainable office accommodation is regarded as being equally important, including when it comes to redevelopments. There is also a continuous need to focus on added dynamism in the district. Zuidas can continue to deserve its place among the world’s best if it develops into a fully-fledged, inclusive and innovative urban social district.
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