According to Van der Horst, the figures show that the 'pressure' on public space is increasing due to 'a growing and densifying city'.
Melanie van der Horst, the Amsterdam councilor for Traffic, Transport and Air Quality, Public Space and Greenery, has been selected as the guest speaker for the upcoming KNV New Year's reception in The Hague. This event, organized by Royal Dutch Transport (KNV) for its members, offers a networking meeting for discussion about the future of mobility in the Netherlands.
Councilor Van der Horst (D66) will share its vision on the challenges and opportunities within Amsterdam's mobility transition. In her pursuit of a liveable and accessible city, she underlines the need for drastic changes. Amsterdam is leading the way with an innovative approach to mobility, focused on sustainability and involvement of its residents.
During the reception, the councilor will explain the specific choices Amsterdam makes to achieve these goals. The central question is how the city can involve its citizens in these changes and how collaboration between different parties can lead to a more efficient and sustainable mobility system. In addition, the number of traffic victims in Amsterdam is four times as high as previously known. “The increasing crowds and variation in vehicles and speed in Amsterdam also has consequences for road safety in the city,” said the councilor.
Councilor Melanie van der Horst was in the news, among other things, because of the situation surrounding the Weesperknip in Amsterdam. During the protests by Amsterdam taxi drivers about this, Van der Horst acknowledged that communication with the council had not been optimal. She apologized for this shortcoming in informing the council. Although the coalition parties remained supportive, this event suggested that future major experiments might present more challenges than initially anticipated.
Parallel to Amsterdam's efforts, KNV is also taking steps towards innovative mobility solutions. This is underlined by the establishment of KNV Connected Mobility, a new association that focuses on promoting connected mobility. These initiatives are a clear sign of the shifting focus within the Dutch mobility sector, where collaboration and innovation are central.
KNV Connected Mobility, an initiative that officially started on January 1, 2024, is a concept in which various forms of transport are digitally linked. This makes it possible for travelers to search, book and pay for different providers via one digital platform. KNV Connected Mobility, a new collective that supports this transition, focuses on promoting a healthy ecosystem for digital mobility. KNV does this by advocating for companies in this sector and by committed to matters such as changing legislation, data management and integrated transport solutions. The goal is to realize a more efficient, faster and cleaner way of moving, with attention to the interests of companies, travelers and society.
