Risk management Zuidas in Amsterdam
The Zuidas (literally South Axis) would not become a second North-South Line, by integrating flexibility in the project but also by identifying the risks. It was our pleasure to contribute towards the success of this project.
Zuidas a challenge for the Amsterdam authorities
Regional development in the current economic climate is difficult and requires flexible planning so that risks are kept to the minimum and steering remains possible. In addition, Amsterdam just went through a traumatic experience with another mega project: the North-South Line. As a result, the City of Amsterdam had a number of questions about the development of the Zuidas: at first, we were contacted for a second opinion about the business case, then we were entrusted with a risk assessment (which were the residual risks for the City after the creation of a ‘Zuidas BV’ limited company). Finally, the City also asked us to optimise the project and make it more flexible.
Rebel focused on flexibility and risks
Thanks to our experience in contracting and economic analysis in other projects, we are able to identify what goes wrong with mega investments, whether in Amsterdam, the Netherlands or beyond our borders. We are convinced that the same mistakes can be avoided in the future with an innovative outlook and a Rebel who can make all parties involved understand that flexible planning and risk management are important. In the Zuidas project, we made sure that the municipal authorities had a much clearer picture of the risks and financial implications of the project. In addition, the high-risk project route was smoothed into a much more gradual one, a route that was less risky, more realistic and more future-proof.
Project teaches a lot for the future
We are happy about the progress, but we found that these processes require a lot of stamina. The realisation of the project – in any form – will still take many years. The ideas we put forward for the Zuidas can also be implemented easily in other projects, and that is what we will certainly do in the future.
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