Green disappears – and returns
To make construction of Zuidasdok possible, we need to create space on both sides and in the central median of the A10 Zuid. This will come at the expense of many trees and other green elements. Once construction is complete, greenery will return to the city.
Many trees along the A10 Zuid will have to make way for new traffic lanes. In total, around 14,400 trees will need to be removed. We began this process in 2018, after obtaining the necessary permits in 2017. Part of Zuidasdok includes a landscape design for the public space between the De Nieuwe Meer and Amstel junctions.
Compensation
There is not enough space to replant all the trees that are being removed. Where possible, we will relocate existing trees and plant 4,000 new trees of a standard size. Finally, compensation will be provided through a contribution to the Herplantfonds replanting fund. The costs of replanting are deducted from this amount, and the remaining balance will be transferred to the fund.
Green wedges
To the west and east of Zuidas are so-called ‘green wedges’. These are natural areas that extend from the surrounding landscape deep into the city. To the west lies the Amsterdamse Bos. To the east lies the area along the river Amstel: from Somerlust park, the Martin Luther Kingpark and Amstelglorie, past Zorgvlied cemetery, to Amstelpark and beyond. Once Zuidasdok is complete, these two wedges will be better connected.
Plan for a Green Zuidas
Even now, the Beatrixpark, the Roman Catholic cemetery Buitenveldert, the green spaces in the Verdi neighbourhood and the Nieuwe Meer form important ‘stepping stones’ for wildlife such as birds and bats. In addition, the City of Amsterdam has for a considerable time been implementing the ‘Plan for a Green Zuidas’ (Plan voor een Groene Zuidas), a €10 million investment to improve green space and water in Zuidas.
Zuidasdok contributes to a green corridor between the Amsterdamse Bos and the river Amstel. Trees and greenery will be replanted along verges and embankments. Where embankments cannot be reinstated due to lack of space, they will be replaced with vertical retaining walls with greenery. In the centre of Zuidas, the A10 tunnel will free up around 100,000 m² of space, partly for a third railway platform and partly for public space. On top of the tunnel, greenery will be added along the Arnold Schönberglaan and the Matthijs Vermeulenpad. The new Amsterdam Zuid station will feature planted roof structures. On the north side of the station, funding has been reserved for the development of the DokDakpark.
Tree species
Across the entire Zuidasdok project area, we are using a landscape design to achieve the final result – from the De Nieuwe Meer junction to the Amstel junction. Trees will be planted in groups of the same species, such as the wild apple tree (Malus sylvestris), a native species that supports biodiversity through its flowers and fruit. You will also see many black locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia). These characteristically shaped trees thrive in the dry conditions along the motorway and can be planted close together, creating attractive clusters. During flowering, they produce large amounts of nectar and are attractive to bees and other insects. The plane tree, a robust urban tree, and the pine will also return.