Seminar on sustainable infrastructure in Poland
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Ladies and gentlemen,
June 2012 seems a long way off. Over two and a half years still to go. But you are already working hard on building new stadiums, you are modernising your infrastructure, and putting your logistics and all the facilities related to the European Championship in order. Quite a daunting task. One that makes June 2012 seem not so far away!
I watched a video on the Euro 2012 website. I saw stadiums rising out of the ground at lightning speed, the National Stadium, the Baltic Arena. First, a bare field. An open space. A digger breaking the ground. That is the beginning. The first spadeful of earth shifted is nothing less than a step along the road to the future. It was a beautiful sight.
And I can warn you now…
Do not be surprised if Warsaw, Poznan, Wroclaw or Gdansk turn orange as Euro 2012 nears. Dutch supporters are always keen to follow their national team!
The European Championship is a wonderful opportunity for Poland – together with co-host Ukraine – to showcase itself as a European host. At the same time the tournament should not distract us from the size and favourable development of the Polish economy. We should keep an eye on the bigger picture. There is a large potential for more growth in trade and investments.
The link between an event like this tournament and the future, is, in my view, sustainability.
I am visiting Poland with a business delegation that comprises enormous know-how in the fields of sustainable infrastructure and construction, safety and security. These are areas in which Poland faces numerous challenges and opportunities. And I am aware of at least three areas in which the Netherlands could be of use to Poland.
· First, we have the question of how to transport large flows of people and goods quickly and safely from A to B in a densely populated environment. The Netherlands has a lot of experience in precisely this.
· Second, we have the question of how stadiums, airports and stations can be established and integrated. Integrated in such a way that in the long term they can make the maximum contribution to sustainable economic growth. I am arguing for a wide view of infrastructure. The Netherlands has had a great many success stories in this area. Stories that may inspire you.
· Third, we have the question of which aspects are relevant for the tenders. Initial price is not the only criterion. An approach that includes quality and total life-cycle costs is, in the long term, usually less expensive and more sustainable. I would like to tell you something about Dutch practical experiences.
First: quickly from A to B
The first theme involves the quick and safe transport of large flows of people and goods. During the European Championship the triangle (air)port – city centre – stadium is essential. The transport links must be in good order. Goods need to travel easily from port to city centre. Fans need to move quickly and easily from their place of arrival to the hotel and on to the football match. This requires fast and safe public transport. And, for example, e-ticketing, for efficient and pleasant travelling. We have a great deal of experience with the most up-to-date technology regarding the latter, and we would like to share this knowledge.
Second: a broad view of the use of infrastructure.
A second point is: what can be done with the stadiums and the specially constructed infrastructure after 2012?
In the Netherlands, we have had good results with this type of location. Projects that show how it is possible to generate different forms of income, revolving around a core business like football or tennis. Take for example Ahoy in Rotterdam: a venue for sporting events supplemented by all kinds of other national and international activities. Or the Amsterdam Arena, home of Ajax. It is not only football matches that take place here. Well-known artists give concerts in the Arena, indoor dance parties as well as business events are also among the possibilities. Moreover, the Arena is embedded in a large shopping centre, with homeware shops and concert halls. The stadium and the surrounding area support one another, creating a snowball effect among visitors.
Another example is Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. This airport has one of the highest non-aviation revenues in the world. It’s not just about facilitating flights, but also distribution, logistics services and a wide variety of shops. Schiphol has refined the airport-city concept down to the finest details.
Third: consider both price and quality when constructing infrastructure
The third area is the construction of infrastructure. I would like to go into this in greater detail.
Poland has taken on a quite considerable task. With a view to the European Championship as well as with a view to Poland’s future. For 2012, you intend to construct 1800 kilometres of motorways and a further 2300 kilometres of express highways. These figures are staggering.
I have great appreciation for the dedication and the enterprising spirit with which you are tackling your infrastructure goals.
Mobility is important for the economy. But any growth in mobility must always go hand in hand with protecting the environment and people. We are feeling this pressure in the Netherlands. Sustainable infrastructure can offer solutions. By designing our scarce space and our infrastructure more sustainably, roads can be of greater value for users and residents in the vicinity.
High-quality and sustainable building does not have to be (more) expensive. On the contrary, it can even be less expensive than standard building. To bring this into sharper focus, we need to look at the entire life cycle. Investment must be linked to the costs of energy, maintenance, management and demolition: the life-cycle costs.
Let me clarify this. For example, if we choose for a PPS construction in the Netherlands, we don’t do so because it is the cheapest option. Rather, by entering into cooperation with the market we safeguard the quality. By making the contractor responsible for maintenance for thirty years, we avoid the need to replace roads after five years. It is in the contractor’s best interests to use quality materials and sound constructions.
Thus, the choice of contractor is never a one-dimensional choice. It involves more than money alone. You can only know what the true price of infrastructure is once you have included quality, maintenance costs and the life cycle. The further the Polish economy grows, the more shift you will see from initial costs to life-cycle costs.
How do we choose for quality and sustainability when we construct a road in the Netherlands? I have a good example for you, a decision that was made in early September. It involves a road link between The Hague and Rotterdam. A part of this road will run through a vulnerable landscape, another part though busy cities. The link is necessary to keep this area easily accessible and it is necessary to ensure that people can continue to enjoy living and working here.
What were the deciding factors in this choice?
- It will be an additional transport link between the second and third largest cities in the Netherlands. This makes the network more robust and produces a structural improvement in the flow of traffic. A road like this never stands alone. It is part of a network of other roads and rail links.
- This choice can be realised quickly and the construction will cause little nuisance.
- It is relatively inexpensive.
- There is agreement on the integration of this road, for example, by building a land tunnel under residential areas, constructing part of the road on a lowered level and constructing additional green spaces.
Conclusion
Ladies and gentlemen,
When constructing infrastructure, balance is always sought. When is a road useful for users? How can we cause as little nuisance as possible for the surrounding area? What choice is best, financially speaking?
The Dutch business community would like to discuss these kinds of issues with you. To discuss sustainable roads like the example I just gave. And definitely to discuss rail links too. Currently, a railway seminar is underway. Both at that seminar and here in this hall, Dutch companies are present. Companies that are among the best in the fields of building railways, light rail and stations.
I have indicated where I believe the possibilities for more intense cooperation lie.
· Quick and safe connections;
· The use of infrastructure after the tournament as well;
· Safeguarding quality when tendering.
I am very curious about where you see opportunities. I trust that today is a day on which we can create new ties and reinforce existing ones. Today four Dutch companies will already be signing a cooperation agreement with their Polish partners.
Ties between Poland and the Netherlands extend far back in time. This visit to Poland has made me confident that our bond will also extend far into the future.
I would like to wish you the very best with your preparations for 2012. I will certainly be watching when the ball is placed on the centre spot in the National Stadium here in Warsaw. And who knows, perhaps this afternoon I may even be able to stand on that spot myself.