Watch back: recording webinar RAI Amsterdam area development

On Tuesday, 25 February, we hosted an online meeting about the area development around RAI Amsterdam. During this session, we discussed our ambitions, the process and timeline, and reviewed the results of the November 2024 survey.

We were pleased with the community’s engagement—more than 80 residents participated and asked valuable questions. Thank you for your interest and input! Several interesting ideas were shared, which we will certainly consider further.

Did you miss the session or would you like to watch it again? You can do so via this link (in Dutch).

We have also compiled an overview of the most frequently asked questions and answers from the online meeting, which you can find below.

Why is RAI Amsterdam developing the RAI area?
Answer: RAI Amsterdam wants to improve the area around the RAI for everyone; from customers, visitors to local residents and other stakeholders. This means that the buildings, public space and logistics will become more sustainable and modern. The current complex, which now mainly has one function, will be transformed into a lively RAI quarter. Various functions come together here, such as living, working, social functions, education and green public space, which strengthens the connection with the surrounding neighbourhoods. This also offers opportunities to contribute to the future plans of the city of Amsterdam. The RAI is working on a Transformation Plan this year, based on the principles of the municipality, in which the municipality plays a testing and supporting role.

Who is responsible for the implementation of the plans?
Answer: The RAI is responsible for the implementation of the plans, with the municipality of Amsterdam mainly having a facilitating and testing role.

Who ultimately decides on the plans?
Answer: The final decisions are made by RAI Amsterdam, in collaboration with the municipality of Amsterdam, any developers and other parties involved. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the municipality of Amsterdam ultimately adopts the Transformation Plan at the municipal level. The participation process is intended to ensure that the voice of the residents is included in these decisions. We believe it is important to know from the residents and stakeholders what they think of the ambitions.

How long will the transformation process take and when will there be concrete plans?
Answer: It is expected that it will take at least another 5 to 6 years before the first phase of construction starts. Will this process cause inconvenience in the neighbourhood? Answer: We expect (subject to change) to be able to start construction around 2030. At that time, the RAI will do everything in its power together with the builder to inform you as well as possible about the work and any inconvenience that may arise.

How are the plans and construction activities coordinated with other projects in the area?
Answer: This is done via the municipality. All large and small area developments that affect traffic and transport in this part of Amsterdam are coordinated as much as possible. As RAI Amsterdam, we have only limited influence on projects outside our own plan area. The municipality ensures that all developments are well coordinated.

Which parties are working together on this area development?
Answer: The municipality of Amsterdam has established the starting point memorandum that provides the framework of the municipal policy in which the area development must fit. The RAI is making a Transformation Plan. The RAI is receiving advice from and is working together with real estate and development consultants, architects, sustainability and logistics specialists, etc. It is not yet known which parties will be working on the final area development plan (except RAI Amsterdam).

What exactly will the area development of the RAI look like?
Answer: There are no definitive plans or designs yet. The RAI is working on a Transformation Plan, which outlines where the various functions such as living, working and greenery will be, what the public space will look like and how the logistics will be improved. This is not yet a definitive design. 

There is talk about housing. What is the current status and what will it look like?
Answer: The municipality of Amsterdam and RAI Amsterdam recognise the growing need for housing in the city. The RAI contributes to this by densifying the area and creating space for new functions such as housing, offices, social functions, education and green public space. This must go well with the organisation of trade fairs and congresses and a pleasant living environment for local residents, residents and workers. How and which homes will be built is not yet known at this stage. The Transformation Plan that the RAI is currently working on with the municipality will mainly state where we envision homes and how many.

How many homes, how high and where on the site will they be built?
Answer: The municipality's Principles Note states that there will be no homes on the Europaplein. RAI Amsterdam and the municipality are looking for locations within the current RAI-site where housing construction is possible. As for high-rise buildings: both RAI and the municipality see room for higher buildings on the side of the A10. Closer to the city, such as at Wielingenstraat, the starting point is that the buildings are lower, so that they fit in well with the existing buildings. How high or low the buildings will be exactly, how many buildings and where, will be further elaborated in the Transformation Plan and is not yet known.

Will the number of events change due to the area development?
Answer: No, the area development has no direct influence on the number of events per year. An important starting point of the transformation is that RAI Amsterdam will continue to function as an exhibition and conference centre as it does now.

Will environmental zones and other plans be taken into account?
Answer: Yes, that is mandatory. In our planning, we take environmental zones into account, especially if they have an influence on mobility. In addition, other environmental factors, such as nitrogen and noise, also play a role. These aspects partly determine what is possible within the area development.

Can the RAI contribute to the logistical problems in the city? Will the RAI become a transhipment or mobility hub?
Answer: The municipality wants to have this investigated, as stated in the starting point note. Many transport movements in the city, such as vans from contractors and catering suppliers, could possibly decrease if a transhipment hub is established. Much research is still needed to see whether this possibly fits into the area development and is feasible.

What are the consequences of the area development for the Beatrixpark?
Answer: At the moment, the connection between the RAI area and the Beatrixpark is not optimal. An important starting point of the area development is to better connect the RAI area and the park. We want to make the Beatrixpark more accessible for visitors of the RAI-Quarter and vice versa. We are consulting about this with interest groups, such as the Friends of the Beatrixpark.

How can I actively participate in the process?
Answer: Do you want to stay informed about the plans, meetings/activities and how we will involve you as local residents? Then sign up for the newsletter via https://www.rai.nl/nieuwsbrief and keep an eye on our website https://www.rai.nl/buurtnieuws.

What happens if I disagree with certain proposals?
Answer: We will inform local residents and involve them in the plans in the coming months. More information will follow on how. If you disagree with the plans, you can submit an official response during the consultation period of the municipality of Amsterdam. Ultimately, there will also be formal consultation during the planning procedures (environmental permits).

How will the neighbourhood and its character be preserved in the new plans?
Answer: We are working on plans for the future of the RAI site. As soon as we know more about what this could mean for the neighbourhood, we will inform and involve you. Sign up for the newsletter to stay informed https://www.rai.nl/nieuwsbrief.

Is there a contact person where I can submit my questions and ideas?
Answer: You can email questions or ideas about the area development to buren@rai.nl. We will then answer you as soon as possible.