Much achieved in 10 years of coordination construction activities at Utrecht Science Park: “RAP meeting” celebrates its anniversary
Over the past ten years, the RAP meeting has built a reputation as the central hub for convening and reviewing the construction activities at Utrecht Science Park, including aspects such as accessibility, safety, and livability. Much has been achieved during this period, demonstrating the value of consultation between all parties in ensuring the smooth running of all construction activities.
The abbreviation RAP stands for “Regie-overleg Afspraak Plannen” (Regional Consultation on Coordination of Planning). This consultative body was established 10 years ago by the Utrecht Science Park partners. The parties involved include Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Utrecht Science Park Foundation, RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment), Central Military Hospital, VORM, Van Wijnen, the Province of Utrecht, and the Municipality of Utrecht.
Secretary Tom van der Kamp discusses concrete examples and the added value of the consultation: “For years, the parties in Utrecht Science Park have been translating their ambitions into concrete construction plans. Ten years ago, a tram line was added that had to be built right through the area, and during construction, it could have significant consequences for accessibility, quality of life, and safety in Utrecht Science Park. The Utrecht Science Park partners and the project organization for the tram line therefore decided that construction activities in the area must be assessed in advance for disruption to the surrounding area and coordinated with, for example, exam periods, open houses, and other construction activities.
In recent years, RAP has established rules that construction parties must adhere to. For example, the RAP, in consultation with Rijkswaterstaat (the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management), ensured that an unused lane at the Rijnsweerd interchange could be used as a buffer lane for construction traffic, preventing heavy construction traffic from driving in circles or parking along the roadside. Another creative achievement was that agreements have been made with the owner of the land at Archimedeslaan 16, where construction crews of the RIVM could park and then use shared bicycles to travel to the construction site. Beautiful examples of collaboration between parties to think in solutions, with an eye for accessibility and quality of life in the area.”
According to Jan Henk van der Velden, managing director of Utrecht Science Park Foundation, this is a great opportunity to celebrate this anniversary: ”Utrecht Science Park will continue to be a vibrant area in the coming years, where ambitious construction plans for further growth will be realized. For example, the R&D building Plus Ultra Utrecht was recently completed, and construction is now underway on the High Five student residence and the International School Utrecht. It is therefore crucial that all these plans and construction activities are properly coordinated, thanks to the RAP. The RAP will therefore continue to contribute to the smooth running of all activities in the area in the coming years, with minimal disruption to all users.”