The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area has a fantastic knowledge infrastructure. This is apparent from research by Network Council member Elsevier: in terms of publications and citations, we are among the absolute best in the world. But the collaboration between business and academia could still be improved, according to Michiel Kolman, Senior Vice President Research Networks at Elsevier.
The number of solar panels in Amsterdam is increasing every year. At the same time, they demand an increasing use of precious finite raw materials. The next crucial step, says alderwoman Marieke van Doorninck, is to make the panels circular on a large scale, in order to prevent toxic PV (solar power) waste. The Municipality of Amsterdam can play a pioneering role in getting governments involved and the Amsterdam Economic Board can get companies and knowledge institutions to join in. The Circular Economy Lab on solar panels provided plenty of tools, guidelines and considerations for organizations in the region to get started with solar panels.
The network for data- and AI-driven innovation in Amsterdam’s life sciences and health sector, Smart Health Amsterdam (SHA) is very happy to welcome its 1,000th member. Let’s take this moment to remember some of our remarkable achievements over the past two years – while looking ahead at the challenges in a further improvement of health and healthcare.
The Regional Development Agency (ROM) is being set up. The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, the Noord-Holland Noord region and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) have joined forces for this. During the last Council of Ministers before the summer recess, it was decided to send the proposal to establish the ROM to the Senate and House of Representatives. This means that the establishment of the ROM is moving forward.
During the first update on AMdEX, the initiators talk about the steps that have been taken to realize an infrastructure for data sharing. And also why it is important that more parties join. There are various options for this.
Reliable data sharing? The Amsterdam Data Exchange (AMdEX) supports collaborating organizations to take advantage of secure data marketplaces. Wouter Los, digital infrastructure consultant at the University of Amsterdam, is one of the initiators of AMdEX: 'If secure marketplaces for data are created, a lot will be possible with data that is now everywhere behind fences. Then, for example, the use of the Internet of Things can grow very quickly.'
Because of his sporting, economic and social commitment to Amsterdam and the region, and in particular to the Zuidoost district, Henk Markerink was awarded the Frans Banninck Cocq Medal. Deputy Mayor Victor Everhardt presented the award to the outgoing director of the ArenA on 30 June.
Alderwoman Digital City Touria Meliani presented Amsterdam's first Data Strategy this year. In this interview she explains why Amsterdam is committed to an inclusive digital city in which everyone has equal rights and opportunities. Striving for a society based on ethical values is a task that concerns everyone. She therefore invites Amsterdammers to monitor the impact of the Data Strategy and to sound the alarm if certain groups of citizens are disadvantaged by new ways of working digitally. She also calls on everyone to take part in this process.
No less than 90% of Dutch people use the internet every day. We all want to continue Netflixing, streaming music, zooming and apping. As a result, the amount of data used will grow – possibly up to twenty times as much by 2030. Ever-expanding data centers are already finding it increasingly difficult to integrate into the energy system and landscape. Critical materials are also becoming increasingly scarce.
In large parts of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, only zero-emission vehicles will be allowed to drive around. Working on a good charging infrastructure around logistics hubs, distribution centers and regional business parks is therefore crucial. At the seventh meetup about the Green Deal ZES, we saw what is already happening, but also what challenges still lie ahead. “Power is not the problem, capacity is.”
