Citizen Council Wants to Cover A10 for Park (and 15 Other Green Recommendations)

100 residents of Amsterdam and Weesp have come together to create 16 recommendations to make Amsterdam greener. The recommendations were presented to Alderman Melanie van der Horst (Public Space and Green) during the closing meeting of the Citizen Council Green City on Saturday, September 27.

The recommendations are the result of 6 meetings between May and September, during which participants engaged in discussions, took excursions, and spoke with experts. They reflected on how a growing Amsterdam can become greener. All 16 recommendations were adopted by a large majority: each proposal received support from at least 60 percent of the participants.

Focus on Valuable and Inclusive Green

The proposals are broad and diverse. Participants advocate for more emphasis on valuable green: not only climate-resilient and ecologically responsible but also beneficial for biodiversity, health, and social well-being. They also propose giving residents and businesses more responsibility in designing and managing green spaces. One of the most ambitious ideas is to cover the A10 to create space for greenery and connection.

Positive Reactions

Alderman Van der Horst is enthusiastic: “It is fantastic to see how engaged our residents are with the greenery in the city. A lot of time has been invested, and beautiful recommendations have been presented. The positivity shines through. Although not everyone shares the same views, they all want more green for the city. In the coming time, we will work with the recommendations to honor all the effort the citizen council has made to create these plans.”

Participants also look back positively on the process: “Participating in a citizen council is a unique experience. You learn to listen to each other and make decisions together.” Another participant adds: “We come from all parts of the city, with different backgrounds, and have jointly developed these recommendations. I hope the municipality acts on them quickly.”

Next Steps

In the coming weeks, the recommendations will be processed into a final report. The college of Mayor and Aldermen will then respond substantively and submit the recommendations to the municipal council. They will consider the practical, legal, and financial feasibility. A specially appointed monitoring group, consisting of participants from the citizen council, will follow the further process.

How Were the Participants of the Citizen Council Chosen?

The Citizen Council Green City consisted of a diverse group of residents. Through a lottery from over 500 applications, 100 participants were selected based on characteristics such as age, district, gender, education, and living situation. This way, the citizen council is a good reflection of the city.