Imagine a region functioning as a single city. That is the Metropolitan Region Amsterdam. It is home to over 2.5 million people. That’s more than 14 percent of the entire Dutch population.
The Metropolitan Region Amsterdam is the country’s most robust economic region. It performs well on the international stage. The region’s strength lies in its talented people. There is a wide diversity of business activity. Good infrastructure supports land, air, and water travel. Excellent digital connectivity is available. A broad palette of living environments exists. These range from historical cities to garden suburbs and new towns. The spectacular metropolitan landscape features sea, dunes, peat meadows, and the freshwater lake of IJmeer-Markermeer. Within this constellation, Amsterdam exerts a magnetic pull.
Known in Dutch as Metropoolregio Amsterdam, it comprises 30 municipalities. These are divided over seven sub-regions. The two provinces of North Holland and Flevoland are also included. Furthermore, the Transport Authority Amsterdam is a member. The municipalities include Aalsmeer, Almere and Amsterdam. Others are Amstelveen, Beemster and Beverwijk. Blaricum, Bloemendaal, and Diemen are also members. Edam-Volendam, Gooise Meren, and Haarlem are included. Haarlemmermeer, Heemskerk, and Heemstede also belong. Hilversum, Huizen, and Landsmeer are other members. Laren, Lelystad, and Oostzaan are part of the region. Ouder-Amstel, Purmerend, Uitgeest are also included. Uithoorn, Velsen, Waterland, and Wijdemeren are members. Wormerland, Zaanstad, and Zandvoort complete the list.
The region boasts two airports and seaports. It is the financial center of the Netherlands. The world’s largest flower auction is in Aalsmeer. Media Valley and clusters of creative companies thrive here. It is also one of the most important social hubs in the country. It is a growth engine for the national economy. The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area is strongly connected with the rest of the world. Schiphol Airport and the ports play a significant role. The population comprises more than 180 nationalities. This creates a strong international orientation.
The MRA spans the daily urban system of Amsterdam. This is roughly the area where most daily commutes take place. Within this region, there are mutual dependencies. These exist between accessibility, job market and the housing market. The actions of one municipality impact the others.
Many challenges require a regional approach. These include the housing and job markets. The success of the region results from interaction between various cores. The international success of Amsterdam impacts the region. Amsterdam’s attractiveness is determined by a well-functioning surrounding network. The MRA is more than just the sum of its parts.
The authorities collaborate based on the MRA Agenda. The 2020-2024 agenda aims to strengthen the international position. It wants to make the Metropolitan Region Amsterdam a top economic region. It aims to provide a high quality of life. The MRA Agenda has two guiding principles. These are a future-proof metropolis and a well-balanced metropolis.
The overall ambition is to become an international top region. This requires investing in a future-proof and well-balanced metropolis. This ambition translates into four administrative tasks. They want to further strengthen the partnership. They want to pursue a resilient, inclusive, and green MRA economy. The authorities want to build with housing needs in mind. They want to strengthen the quality of life of the entire region through growth. They aim to accelerate the establishment of the metropolitan mobility system.
As you explore the Metropolitan Region Amsterdam, remember it is more than just a collection of cities and towns. It is a dynamic entity. It is a collaborative effort to create a thriving, sustainable, and interconnected region.