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VAIMOO expands Rotterdam fleet to 500 electric shared bikes

Bryan van Putten city news 21 December 2021

ROTTERDAM, 21 December 2021 - VAIMOO, an originally Italian company that took over the e-bike sharing service in Rotterdam in 2019, has delivered the last 170 bikes to the municipality. The fleet of a total of 500 electric shared bikes is now complete. In addition, as of today, in-app payments are also possible with iDeal.

VAIMOO has also reactivated a network of more than 60 charging stations. These are divided into 28 physical points spread throughout the urban area (discover the map here), and 32 virtual parking spaces that cyclists can use to place their e-bikes next to the physical charging points, should they be full or unavailable. This is an effective result that will connect Rotterdam's city centre with its outlying areas. In addition, it makes the electric shared bike service in Rotterdam more inclusive and facilitates intermodal transport.

Anyone who wants to use an e-bike can use the VAIMOO app. The app is available in the App Store and the Play Store. Once the e-bike is unlocked, the user pays 15 cents per minute. Courtesy of user feedback and suggestions, the app now also includes iDeal as an available payment method, in addition to the already existing options (Mastercard, Visa, American Expresss, JCB). Google Pay and Apple Pay availability is slated for the near future.

Improved micromobility in Rotterdam

Micromobility - the unbundling of the car into smaller, electric vehicles aimed at a specific purpose - is now a crucial part of the transport network of large cities. It is expected that this form of transport will increase significantly in the Netherlands. After all, it is a lot more environmentally conscious and, in addition, cheaper than the car. The implementation of the e-bike infrastructure is therefore a step in the right direction.

"We are very proud to have completed the placement of our fleet for Rotterdam," says Matteo Pertosa, CEO of VAIMOO. "Despite the problems caused by the pandemic, we have continued to work hard to give Rotterdammers back an essential transport service. This will connect the entire city centre with the outlying areas."

Is VAIMOO the real deal?

According to VAIMOO, what makes them different is the wide distribution of charging stations, combined with an extensive fleet of fully electric shared bikes made from sustainable materials. The e-bikes are also connected online to enable remote diagnostics, reduce the likelihood of vandalism, facilitate maintenance and allow for the repositioning of vehicles. This results in improved service delivery.

In addition, the built-in e-bike connection module is ready to be integrated with third-party transportation systems. This results in a complete and fully integrated mobility network that facilitates the user's travel experience and ensures an increase in usage.

Rotterdam World Trade Center low-rise given A++ energy label

Bryan van Putten city news 21 December 2021

In what's being hailed as a milestone in revitalization, the monumental low-rise WTC Rotterdam transitions from energy label G to A++.

ROTTERDAM, 21 December 2021 - It was already the case for the Highrise of WTC Rotterdam, but now the monumental low-rise section including the Postillion Hotel WTC Rotterdam has also achieved the 'BREEAM In-Use Very Good' certificate. The entire building has also recently been awarded energy label A++. This is an important milestone in the revitalization process of WTC Rotterdam. The BREEAM certification is particularly special because the low-rise building has a monumental status. This makes the implementation of sustainable adjustments while respecting the monumental status an extra challenge.

One of Bouwinvest's ambitions is to have its entire property portfolio meet the targets set out in the Paris Climate Agreement by 2045. Jan-Willem Kos, Senior Asset Manager Office & Hotel Fund explains: "For some time now we have been working on concrete initiatives to make our property portfolio 'Paris Proof'. We have, for example, managed to considerably reduce our CO-2 emissions''.

During the revitalization of WTC Rotterdam a complete series of sustainable modifications were made, including the installation of solar panels, the replacement of all lighting with LED lights, a highly advanced climate control system and a challenging facade renovation. Kos says: "That facade renovation, for example, has led to 30 tonnes of CO2 reduction per facade, per year. Our lifts and escalators generate their own energy''. Water-saving measures have also been taken in all sanitary facilities, and every new tenant and lease renewal is offered a Green Lease as standard. From now on, every change at WTC Rotterdam will be viewed through sustainable glasses. This has now resulted in this important certification. Obtaining this certificate shows that even in a monumental building, beautiful results can be achieved'', continues Kos.

We also have an eye for other sustainable initiatives, such as placing nesting boxes for birds and bats on the roofs, making a shared car park available and separating waste to a high degree. In terms of climate adaptation, Bouwinvest is constantly looking at ways of making improvements to its property portfolio based on the changing climate. For example, we took a close look at the old way of draining rainwater for the WTC Rotterdam. As a result, we are now installing green roofs to slow down drainage and limit heat stress,' says Kos.

Motel Mozaïque Festival expands line-up for 20th edition

Bryan van Putten city news 14 December 2021

ROTTERDAM, 14 December 2021 - The Motel Mozaïque (MOMO) festival line-up is starting to take shape with a new series of names. For the twentieth edition of MOMO Festival, from 21 to 23 April 2022 in the center of Rotterdam, Blak Saagan, INNERWOUD, MC Yallah & Debmaster, Gino-Cochise, Amenti Theatre Company and Mirjam Manusama are among the names confirmed. In addition, the adventurous festival is also launching an Open Call for Rotterdam-based creatives.

Motel Mozaïque has already announced that singer and rapper S10 (who will be representing the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022), Flemish singer-songwriter Meskerem Mees and Balimaya Project from London's vibrant jazz scene, among others, will be coming to Rotterdam in April.

During MOMO Festival, visitors will discover new tastemakers in the field of music, performance, dance and visual arts. In addition, MOMO guides will lead them on tours that take them to the frayed edges of Rotterdam. MOMO is also the place to be for special projects or collaborations.

Music

With the arrival of these five acts the music program becomes even more diverse, international and exciting: Blak Saagan (Italian producer and multi-talent), INNERWOUD (Flemish double bass player who makes a haunting mix of drone, ambient and neo-classical), MC Yallah & Debmaster (Grim raps from Kenya and uplifting bass music from France), Gino-Cochise (contrarian and elusive solo artist who previously played with Pink Oculus and Anne-Fay) and Gita Buhari (great soul talent from Rotterdam, she will come up with new music that she says will contain elements of trip-hop, shoegaze and soul).

Performance

The first names in the field of performance do not lie: The Rotterdam dance collective Amenti Theatre Company is no stranger to Motel Mozaïque. Their performances Anima and Ayahuasca have previously been featured at the festival, and artistic director Gil 'The Grid' Gomes Leal played a key role in the Liquid program in 2019. Their new show Lilith will premiere at MOMO Festival.

Dance performance meets concert, that's the promise of Into The Open by Belgian dance company Voetvolk of Lisbeth Gruwez & Maarten Van Cauwenberghe. Seven performers whip each other up with infectious krautrock and electronics - think Can's repetitive grooves crossed with The Chemical Brothers' high voltage beats.

Identity is rarely straightforward: it develops over time, consists of many different layers and is not immune to outside influences. The dance performance Sorry, but I feel slightly disidentified shows this in a subtle way. The French choreographer Benjamin Kahn created this solo performance for the Amsterdam dancer Cherish Menzo, as the first piece of a trilogy devoted to the body, stereotypes and identity.

Mathieu Charles has been active in the Flemish spoken word and hip hop scene for years, but has also recently made a name for himself as a theater maker with his first performance Fanon Mixtape.

Art

The avant-garde fashion designs of Rotterdam-based Mirjam Manusama leave plenty of room for ambiguity: her clothes are not tied to a specific gender or season. Away from restrictive norms, there is room for self-expression, innovation and sustainability. Manusama studied Fashion Design at HKU and then started designing costumes for dancers and the theater. For example, she has been designing for the Rotterdam-based dance collective Amenti since 2015. She takes that experience into her own fashion label Manusama Nuance: her eye for movement, draping and androgynous fits can be seen in every design. This was also noticed on the other side of the ocean because her first collection was selected for New York Fashion Week.

Open Call for Rotterdam Creatives

The Open Call is back. During the twentieth edition of MOMO Festival, Rotterdam-based creatives can use €1000 to throw their own party, create a bizarre performance, immerse visitors in a social experiment, organize an open-air exhibition or build an art installation.

Wild ideas are embraced and can be submitted until Sunday, January 9, 2022. Detailed information about the Open Call can be found on the Motel Mozaïque website.

Previously announced

Twenty acts have previously been announced for the program of the Rotterdam festival; Balimaya Project, S10, Spacey Jane, Working Men's Club, Sylvie Kreusch, Billy Nomates, Nitrogen, Sad Night Dynamite, Finn Ronsdorf, Meskerem Mees, Hand Habits, Talk Show, Soccer96, Real Lies, Mysie, Jean-Michel Blais, Famous, Katy J. Pearson, Jockstrap and Broadside Hacks.

MOMO Festival will be announcing more music acts, performers, artists, discovery routes and special projects in the near future.

ABN AMRO WTT confirms Gaël Monfils, Felix Auger-Aliassime

Bryan van Putten city news 07 December 2021

Gaël Monfils and Felix Auger-Aliassime will be seen in action in Rotterdam Ahoy in February. Both finalists of the 2020 tournament, which was won by Monfils, have reconfirmed their participation. The 49th ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament takes place from 5 to 13 February 2022.

The 49th ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament will take place from 5 to 13 February 2022. The ticket sales has started.

Tournament Director Richard Krajicek: "With Gaël Monfils spectacle is guaranteed. He won the last two times he played in Rotterdam Ahoy. He is an excellent player on our center court and always knows how to bring out the best in him. But Felix Auger-Aliassime is also a player to look forward to. It would not surprise me at all if he can take the final step in February and conquer his first title at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament."

Gaël Monfils on record hunt in Rotterdam

Gaël Monfils will be on a record hunt in Rotterdam. After his previous tournament victories in 2019 and 2020, he will be hunting for his third title. In doing so, he can be on par with record holder Roger Federer, who is the only one to win the tournament three times.

Monfils has had several outstanding performances during his nine previous participations. He reached the quarterfinals in 2010 and 2015, lost the semifinals to Rafael Nadal in 2009 and the final to Martin Klizan in 2016. His two last participations crowned him with the title. In 2019, he defeated Stan Wawrinka in the final. A year later, he was too strong for Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Auger-Aliassime on the hunt for first title

Felix Auger-Aliassime is one of the most promising talents on the ATP Tour. Although he is only 21 years old, he has been in the global top 100 for over two years. Last month he reached a top-10 position for the first time. He is still waiting for his first tournament victory, but has been close many times. His final appearance at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in 2020 was one of eight occasions when he reached the final.

Participants

Six participants have now been announced. Besides Monfils and Auger-Aliassime, these are Stefanos Tsitsipas and Hubert Hurkacz and Davis Cup winners Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev.

SAWA winner at World Architecture Festival 2021

Bryan van Putten city news 06 December 2021

During the World Architecture Festival 2021, which took place online from 1 to 3 December, both the wooden residential building SAWA and the transformed warehouse Fenix I were awarded by the juries.

SAWA won the first prize in the category 'Future Projects - Experimental'. In this category, the sustainable residential building competed against seven other nominated projects. Fenix I finished in second place, Highly Commended, in the category 'Completed Buildings - New & Old', thereby beating twenty nominated projects.

Sixth award for SAWA

With the start of construction of SAWA in sight, the first award for WAF brings SAWA's total to no less than six award nominations. Previously, the building won first prize in the Green Good Design Awards and the ARC20 Innovation Award, was Highly Recommended at the MIPIM/AR Future Project Awards, received a Special Mention at the Architizer A+ Awards and was selected for the Iconic Awards for Innovative Architecture.

SAWA is being developed by Nice Developers and ERA Contour. Mei architects and planners is responsible for the design. The revolutionary concept of SAWA demonstrates the progressive attitude of clients and architect in the field of circular timber construction, biodiversity and the creation of healthy communities.

The conviction and vigour to not only design but also realize a concept like SAWA is fed by the ambition to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and the achievement of (inter)national climate goals. SAWA, also called the 'healthiest building in the Netherlands', is thus an exemplary project for new generations, an important step in the sustainability objectives and demonstrable proof that it can be done differently.

About WAF

The World Architecture Festival is the largest inclusive and interactive architecture awards programme in the world. The festival attracts thousands of entries each year (in the categories Completed Building, Future Project and Interior) and is a unique meeting place for architects, clients and suppliers. Because of COVID-19, the festival did not take place live in Lisbon this year, but online, from 1 to 3 December.