Information in English

The information below gives a short view of the Stadsregio and its activities.
The links will take you to the pages in Dutch.
For further information you can call + 31 (0)20 - 5273700 or send an e-mail toregiohuis@stadsregioamsterdam.nl

Regional Agenda 2006-2010

The Stadsregio has set out its work programme in the Regional Agenda for 2006-2010. This comprises activities such as:
· Deployment of the regional development programme
· Improving accessibility and deployment of the Regional Traffic and Transportation Plan
· Formulating and deployment of a regional economic development strategy
· A regional housing policy
· Maintaining the quality of the landscape and reinforcing the urban "green structure"
· Drafting a regional social agenda, including youth welfare

The 16 municipalities in the Stadsregio and their inhabitants
Aalsmeer 22,915
Amstelveen 78,866
Amsterdam 738,763
Beemster 8,541
Diemen 24,049
Edam/Volendam 28, 194
Haarlemmermeer 127,750
Landsmeer 10,315
Oostzaan 9,176
Ouder-Amstel 13,055
Purmerend 75,831
Uithoorn 26,763
Waterland 17,266
Wormerland 15,765
Zaanstad 139,774
Zeevang 6,323
Total number of inhabitants as of 1 January 2004: 1,343,346

Tasks
The Stadsregio has a number of statutory tasks such as implementing the Vinex housing policy, acting as a commissioning authority for public transport, subsidising regional infrastructure and organising youth care.
It is also dedicated to the acquirement of investment grants. The harmonisation of municipal plans helps a greater willingness on the part of the national and European government as well as the business community to invest in the region.
When participating municipalities so require, the Stadsregio can play a role in partnerships with other authorities or social organisations. It is for example represented in BONroute, in the Platform Bereikbaarheid Noordvleugel, in the partnership between authorities from the urban conurbation situated in the west of the Netherlands (Regio Randstad) and the Regionale Samenwerking Amsterdam (Regional Cooperation Amsterdam).

Organization
The higest body within the Stadsregio is the Regional Council; it has has 56seats. The administrative bodies of the Stadsregio municipalities choose their own representatives for this council. The council convenes four times a year.
The Executive Committee comprises aldermen and mayors from the Amsterdam region. The chairperson is the mayor of Amsterdam .
The Portfolio Holders Councils comprise aldermen or mayors from the municipalities. There is a Portfolio Holders Council for the Physical Environment (spatial development, economic affairs and housing), Traffic and Transport, Youth Care and General Affairs. The Portfolio Holders provide important recommendations to the Executive Committee.
It also has several Advisory Committees (chosen from the Council), e.g. for the Regional Housing Policy, Regional Economic Development Strategy, Regional Traffic and Transport Plan and Youth Care.

Mobility
One of the aims is to improve mobility in the Amsterdam city region. In this way, it is working to improve and expand the regional infrastructure for cars, public transport and bicycles, and is paying special attention to the development of traffic junctions, transport management and road safety.

Regional Traffic and Transport Plan
Traffic policy in the region is based on the Regional Traffic and Transport Plan. The aim is to boost accessibility and quality of life in the Amsterdam region. The Regional Traffic and Transport Plan comprises policies relating to infrastructure, public transport, RegioNet, road safety, location policy, traffic junctions and bicycle traffic. It sets out priorities in policy and subsidising.

Public transport
The Stadsregio is responsible for the operation of urban and regional transport in the Amsterdam region. As a commissioning authority, the Stadsregio grants concessions to transport companies, giving them the exclusive right to provide public transport within a particular area.
The Amsterdam region has four concession areas: Amstelland-Meerlanden, Amsterdam, Waterland, Zaanstreek. Within a few years, the concession areas will have to be put out to contract by public tender.

Zuidtangent
The Zuidtangent (South Tangent) is a modern, high-quality public transport link between Haarlem Central Station and Amsterdam Zuidoost. This separate bus link gives access to business parks and housing locations in the region. The Zuidtangent provides passengers with comfort, a high-frequency service and numerous transfer opportunities. The Stadsregio and the province of Noord-Holland are the commissioning authority for the Zuidtangent. The Stadsregio is examining options to extend the Zuidtangent to IJburg.

Studies infrastructure
The Stadsregio carries out studies on the development of traffic and transport. In this way, mobility problems and potential solutions are clarified. Examples of these studies include CASH study (Corridor Amsterdam Schiphol Haarlemmermeer) and the corridor studies Public Transport Amstelveen - Uithoorn, Amsterdam-Zaanstad-Waterland and Hoofddorp-A2.

Funds for infrastructure
The Stadsregio provides funding for regional infrastructure projects, such as bus lanes, roundabouts or bicycle paths and is responsible for the allocation of these subsidies to municipalities that have applied for one. It also contributes to larger projects such as the N201 of the second Coentunnel.

Spatial policy
The Regional Structure Visie forms the basis of future regional spatial policy. Included therein are regional projects for housing construction, infrastructure, business parks, parks and recreational areas for coming decades

Regional housing policy
The housing market operates at a regional level. Therefore the Stadsregio sets out a policy on housing in the region. The Stadsregio also regularly carries out studies on trends in supply and demand. A coherent housing policy is also formulated whereby attention is paid to the quality of the housing supply, the differentiation of housing environments, housing allocation, restructuring and monitoring of developments in the housing market.
National spatial investments up to the year 2005 have been laid down in the Vinex memorandum (Fourth Memorandum on Spatial Planning-Plus). The Stadsregio monitors the agreements that have been made. The same procedure will be employed during the period 2005-2010. The Stadsregio clarifies the relationship between municipal investment programmes in the interest of requisite central government grants.

Development Plan for the Economie of the Amsterdam Region (OPERA)
A healthy and differentiated economy with international competitive power is the aim of the Stadsregio. How this can be achieved is laid down in OPERA. For example, via the joint coordination of the development of business locations, a regional promotion and acquisition policy towards industry, a regional tourist policy and the strengthening of the regional knowledge infrastructure.

Regional land policy
The Stadsregio is intent on promoting regional cooperation with respect to land policy in order to support spatial planning. This involves, amongst other things, the development of business locations, housing locations, parks and recreational areas.

Youth care
Ten Youth Care Offices in the region provide access to various institutions that offer assistance, protection and mental health care for young people. The Stadsregio is responsible for the planning and financing of youth care.

Social agenda
The Stadsregio focuses on the formulation of a regional social agenda. In addition to youth care, it examines social themes that the municipalities can tackle together.