ROTTERDAM, 10 July 2024 – Seven entrepreneurs in Rotterdam are receiving support for their innovative energy solutions as part of the city's Smart Energy Systems programme. This initiative aims to accelerate the energy transition through grants, business development, and housing support.

Funding and support for energy innovations

The Smart Energy Systems programme, established by the municipality, assists organisations and entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to speed up the energy transition. The support includes grants of up to €100,000 per participant, assistance with follow-up financing, networking opportunities, business development, and housing facilitation. This programme also aims to stimulate business activity and employment in Rotterdam and the surrounding region.

Alderman Chantal Zeegers (Climate, Construction and Housing) stated, “The municipality of Rotterdam facilitates innovation to accelerate the energy transition. We aim to lead in sustainable entrepreneurship. With the Smart Energy Systems subsidy and support, we are helping 45 sustainable entrepreneurs. This strengthens Rotterdam's position as an innovative hub and contributes to a future-proof economy.”

Selected projects for 2024

1. FLASC B.V.: FLASC B.V. is developing a battery storage system for offshore wind farms. These storage systems, located on the seabed, convert electricity into pressure, which can be delivered via the grid at optimal times. The subsidy will help FLASC B.V. explore pilot locations in Rotterdam, showcasing their commitment to integrating their business activities into the city's energy transition.

2. SchipWALwalSCHIP: This project proposes an energy management strategy to optimise energy flows between ships, shore power facilities, and adjacent industries. The subsidy will be used to further develop this strategy with partners in the offshore and chemical sectors. This integrated approach aims to reduce congestion and maximise the use of sustainable energy.

3. Direct Electricity Supply Project, Blijstroom to SKAR: The project aims to create a new local supply model for electricity generated from rooftop solar panels. This model ensures price stability and long-term income guarantees, making cooperative solar roofs more attractive to end users. The subsidy will help scale this direct supply principle to other locations.

4. Enabling Perovskite PV (Kalpana Systems): Kalpana Systems seeks funding to commercialise their innovation: Perovskite solar cells using the 'spatial Atomic Layer Deposition' (sALD) method. This method significantly speeds up the production process, making the manufacture of flexible solar cells more cost-effective.

5. Smart Energy Pumping (Snijders B.V.): The Smart Pumping System innovation aims to optimise the unloading of tankers by improving pump efficiency through an innovative control system. This system reduces energy and operational costs and can be retrofitted to older ships. The subsidy will support the development of this modular system.

6. Green SOCCS (DOT B.V.): Green SOCCS innovation involves precise underground drilling for cable installation over long distances, reducing surface excavation. This method minimises the impact on natural areas and the built environment. The municipality of Rotterdam recognises the potential of this innovation and will actively support the project.

Project locations and directions

The selected projects will be implemented at various locations in Rotterdam, each contributing to the city's energy transition. FLASC B.V. will focus on offshore sites, while other projects will be based within the city and industrial areas. Specific addresses and directions will be provided as the projects progress.

ROTTERDAM, 27 June 2024 – The Prins Alexanderplein in Prins Alexander is set to become a green, lively, and atmospheric city square, following the approval of its final design by the city council. The renovation will begin in early 2025, with completion expected a year later.

Definitive design for Prins Alexanderplein approved

The Prins Alexanderplein in Prins Alexander will be transformed into a green and lively urban square. The new design includes spaces for relaxation, walking, water play, and small cultural events. The transformation will create a healthier living environment with cleaner air, more comfortable temperatures, and increased biodiversity.

Alderman Maarten Struijvenberg, responsible for the Prins Alexanderplein city project, stated, “A greener square ensures a healthy living environment, with cleaner air and pleasant temperatures. I am pleased that the currently stony Alexanderplein will soon be a thing of the past. The square will become a place people want to visit, to relax, meet each other, drink coffee, or enjoy the water fountains.”

Green spaces and biodiversity

The final design includes nearly 2,500 m² of new green space and around 50 new trees, including alders, elms, and birches. Existing trees, such as the large chestnut tree, will be preserved. The design, created in collaboration with MORE Landscape, incorporates diverse plant species to attract birds, butterflies, bees, and other insects, enhancing biodiversity.

The planting beds will also function as rainwater reservoirs, helping to reduce waterlogging. Excess rainwater will be directed to open water, thereby decreasing the risk of flooding.

Prins Alexanderplein to get green makeover

Features for children

The new square will include playful elements for children, such as trick fountains (bedriegertjes) and a water tap. A play structure will also be installed, though the specific type is yet to be determined. To accommodate local businesses, loading and unloading zones will be relocated to reduce truck traffic around the square. Additional bicycle and scooter parking will be provided nearby.

Prins Alexanderplein to get green makeover

Conversion of offices to residential buildings

Office buildings around the square will be converted into residential units. The former office building De Ster will become a residential building with 169 rental apartments, a rooftop bar with a garden, and ground-floor hospitality venues with terraces. The building will be available for rent this summer. Future plans also include converting the Saturnus office building into residential units, bringing more life to the square.

Community involvement

Local residents and visitors have contributed ideas and wishes for the new design through various engagement activities, including square discussions and the Gemeentepeiler app. The final design reflects their desires for a green square with ample trees and plants, play equipment, and spaces for small events. Discussions with property owners, developers, and tenants are ongoing to finalise placemaking and programming around the square.

The Alexanderknoop, heart of Rotterdam-East

The municipality aims to develop the Alexanderknoop area, around the Rotterdam Alexander transport hub, into the centre of Rotterdam-East. The green transformation of the Prins Alexanderplein sets the stage for further development in the Alexanderknoop, with plans for residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

City projects for a greener Rotterdam

The Prins Alexanderplein project is part of Rotterdam's broader initiative to green the city through various urban projects. These projects aim to make living environments more attractive, mitigate heat stress, manage heavy rainfall, and boost biodiversity. While other projects focus on greening the city centre and Rotterdam-South, the Prins Alexanderplein project invests in creating a green living environment in Rotterdam-East.

The East Flank development

Prins Alexanderplein in the Alexanderknoop is part of Rotterdam's East Flank development, which spans the area between Prins Alexander and Zuidplein. The city plans to build 30,000 new homes here to meet the growing demand for housing. The development will include a new city bridge between IJsselmonde and Kralingen and rapid public transport links, ensuring good accessibility for the new homes. The construction will also bring additional amenities such as shops, health centres, sports facilities, community gardens, and green spaces.

For more information about Prins Alexanderplein, visit www.rotterdam.nl/alexanderplein.

Directions to Prins Alexanderplein

Prins Alexanderplein is located in the Alexanderknoop area, near the Rotterdam Alexander transport hub. The square is easily accessible via public transport, including trains, trams, and buses, making it convenient for visitors from across the city.

ROTTERDAM, 30 May 2024 – The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra has announced the appointment of a new management team starting 19 August 2024. Rob Streevelaar will assume the role of General Director, while Piet van Gennip will become the Business Director.

New management for Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra from 19 August 2024

The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and its Supervisory Board have confirmed the appointment of a new management team, effective from 19 August 2024. Rob Streevelaar will take over as General Director, and Piet van Gennip will become the new Business Director.

Allard Castelein, representing the Supervisory Board, stated: "With this new management team, we have secured leaders who can advance this top orchestra in the coming years. Both have proven their worth in the sector and can build a more future-proof Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra with their extensive experience. We are confident that they will successfully realise their ambitions for classical music and the broader cultural sector."

Rob Streevelaar's extensive experience

Rob Streevelaar will succeed George Wiegel, who is retiring after 20 years with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (RPhO), including 11 years as a trombonist and 9 years as General Director. Streevelaar has a rich background as a performing musician and educator, having taught at the Rotterdam Conservatory (Codarts) where he studied clarinet. As the director of the SKVR Music School in Rotterdam, he initiated the 'Ieder kind een Instrument' (Every Child an Instrument) programme, making music accessible to children who would not typically have the opportunity.

In 2008, Streevelaar became the director of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra|Netherlands Chamber Orchestra. He was responsible for appointing chief conductors Marc Albrecht and Lorenzo Viotti. Under his leadership, the orchestra engaged a younger and broader audience through innovative programming and established unique housing in a former church in Amsterdam-Oost, known as the NedPhO Koepel. He is currently serving as interim director for Philzuid.

Rob Streevelaar expressed his enthusiasm: "It's wonderful to return to ‘the harbour’. The fantastic Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, with which I grew up and which ignited my love for the symphony orchestra and classical music, is a joy to rejoin. I look forward to working with the musicians, Lahav, the staff, and both familiar and new partners to build the future. We will build on the orchestra's excellent quality with an inviting programme in this dynamic city filled with music."

Piet van Gennip's vision for the future

Piet van Gennip will replace interim director Jaap Lampe as Business Director. Trained as a violinist at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and an economist at the University of Amsterdam, Van Gennip brings a diverse background. He has worked with the Dutch government (Ministry of Finance) and in the private sector (including Berenschot). For the past decade, he served as the director of the Ballet Orchestra, where he established a clear positioning and a new name for the orchestra. His leadership significantly enhanced collaborations with the orchestra's partners, Het Nationale Ballet and NDT, and saw artistic growth.

Piet van Gennip commented: "The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra combines international class with the proximity of a city orchestra. This exciting combination in the Netherlands' most vibrant city greatly appeals to me. I look forward to strengthening the organisation and expanding the financial foundation so that we can offer even more to the people of Rotterdam and shine on both national and international stages."

ROTTERDAM, 28 May 2024 – Hoogvliet supermarket has commenced the donation of surplus goods from its e-commerce distribution centre to the Rotterdam-based organisation, SharEaty. The donated items will be distributed across various community kitchens in the city.

Hoogvliet supermarket begins donation of surplus food to SharEaty

On Monday, 27 May 2024, Hoogvliet supermarket handed over the first surplus goods from its e-commerce distribution centre to SharEaty. This collaboration aims to combat food waste and poverty in Rotterdam. SharEaty will now collect surplus products daily and distribute them to social kitchens in community centres, primary schools, and homeless shelters in Rotterdam.

SharEaty's mission to reduce food waste and poverty

SharEaty is a Rotterdam-based organisation dedicated to reducing food waste and fighting poverty by collecting surplus food from producers and supermarkets. These ingredients are then delivered to social kitchens in the Rotterdam area, where they are used to prepare meals for those in need. Petra Vennegoor, an ambassador for SharEaty who facilitated the partnership with Hoogvliet, expressed her gratitude: "Thanks to Hoogvliet for donating surplus food. This collaboration once again proves that wasting food is completely unnecessary. Hoogvliet recognises that by working together, we can make a greater impact, whether it's reducing food waste or helping someone in need; together, we achieve more."

Shared vision for nutritious meals

Hoogvliet shares SharEaty's belief that everyone deserves a nutritious, healthy meal. The supermarket is keen to support SharEaty's goal of providing 1 million meals and reducing CO2 emissions by 1.5 million kilos. The initiative ensures that food products, which can no longer be sold online, are now directed to people in the immediate vicinity of Hoogvliet's Rotterdam branches, rather than being discarded.