Maasvlakte 2 The sustainable port (pdf, 6427Kb)

14Always in dialogueSustainable development takesthe environmental impact ofMaasvlakte 2 on the localpopulation and environment intoaccount. Naturally, it ensures thatthere is opportunity for people tohave an influence on plans forMaasvlakte 2 and its subsequentrealisation. From the very outsetof the project, the approach hasbeen transparent and proactivetowards the various stakeholderssuch as environmental andconservation organisations.During the design stage, therewas also an open dialogue withinterested parties. At that point,the various stakeholders couldpromote their interests, explaintheir viewpoints, contribute to theplans, and indeed improve them.This is how the sustainabledevelopment of the area was andis elaborated and secured incontinuous consultation – from thedesign, construction, and spatialplanning stage to its eventualoperation.Sustainability as a connectingthemeSustainability is taken into accountand elaborated in each stage of theproject. The design, for instance,includes the conscious decisionfor a streamlined, circular option,as this will minimise the impacton the North Sea. The design’scompact form furthermore meansthat it occupies a lot less space(see Chapter 7: SustainableDesign). Less space also meansthat less sand is required, whichin turn leads to environmental andcost savings. And in the case ofsand extraction, sustainability alsomeans conscious decision-makingwith regard to the sand extractionlocation and the dredging method.The selected procedure will haveminimal effects on the seabed andmarine wildlife (see Chapter 8:Sustainable Construction).Sustainability is also an importantfactor in the spatial planning ofMaasvlakte 2. The multifunctionalexterior contour and the clusteringof industries are both goodexamples (see Chapter 9:Sustainable Planning).For the first time in the history ofany of the world’s major seaports,sustainability has served as animportant selection criterion,partially determining whichcompanies will be allowed to setup on Maasvlakte 2. Variousenvironmental aspects, such asthe air pollution and noise pollutionlevels, have been included in theevaluation. The first contracts withterminal operators consequentlyinclude concrete agreements onmaximum emission levels,decreasing the share of overlandhaulage and increasing the useof inland shipping and rail transport(see Chapter 10: SustainableOperation).