Alkmaar | Emmakwartier

Together we make the outdoor space

Well-designed, landscaped and managed outdoor space adds great value to the livability and economic development of the urban area.

From a sustainable socially responsible approach, the municipality of Alkmaar wants to grow into the complete and dynamic capital of North Holland North where Liveability, Safety, Accessibility and Employment are shaped in cooperation with residents and businesses.

Open covenant Alkmaar
Based on this ambition, the municipality of Alkmaar and Stadswerk have sought cooperation with regional partners. The Alkmaar Knowledge Circle (GP Groot Infra, Van de Bult Grond- Weg- en Waterbouw, Schot Infra), the Municipality of Alkmaar and Stadswerk 072 note that an impulse is needed in the construction industry when it comes to innovation in routine projects. This renewal should lead to 'breakthrough' innovations with both client and contractor and should reduce waste, often referred to as failure costs. All this on the condition that the quality of the service provided remains at least the same and the inconvenience to citizens and businesses, as a result of the construction work, is reduced.

Therefore, the parties have expressed their desire to work together in an intensive and open manner on coherence, knowledge development and knowledge sharing.

Covenant team and residents are working together in the Emma Quarter project.

Sustainable GWW approach
Projects are becoming increasingly complex. In addition, the environment in which we realize projects is becoming increasingly complex. The multidisciplinary nature and the size of it, are an ever-increasing challenge for both the civil engineer and the client.

Therefore, clients are increasingly engaged in professional commissioning. In the complex infrastructure works, market parties can contribute in a professional and creative way at an early stage of a project. In addition, the client has a social responsibility in the realization of the work.

The Sustainable GWW Approach is a process approach that integrates circularity and sustainability, preferably as early as possible, into the process of analysis, consideration, design and specification. The emphasis is on achieving sustainability gains by seizing the opportunities per project. Cooperation within the framework of the Open Covenant allows contractors to contribute their knowledge and experience at a very early stage in order to achieve maximum sustainability gains.

Street soaking in compaction in preparation.

Emmakwartier Alkmaar
The reason for the redesign is the poor condition of the sewers. Replacing the sewers gives Stadswerk072 the opportunity to make the neighborhood climate proof. The climate is changing, resulting in increasingly heavy showers. The current sewers are not designed for this and cannot drain off the water fast enough, resulting in (possible) flooding. Much rainwater currently goes to a sewage treatment plant. With the construction of the new sewer system, this is a thing of the past. The rainwater is drained into the Nieuwlandersingel instead of going to sewage treatment. In addition to planting more trees in the neighborhood, facade gardens will also be created.

Preparation and procurement
The sustainability aspects or priorities, established in advance by Stadswerk072, that had to be taken into account were:      

• Accessibility during execution of work both for residents, suppliers, as well as city cleaning
• Trees and greenery in the neighborhood
• Minimizing water on the street
• Wet crawl spaces in residents' homes
• Resident participation i.e. consultation regarding various principles
• Monumental properties
• Politically sensitive project in connection with infill project the new Emma Quarter
• Complex space due to the dense building
• Storage of material and equipment
• Lead time reduction and in 1x right
• Cables and pipes (the street 1 time open)
• Coordination of work
• Tender procedure
• Respect and funIntegral cost

Managing the risks through the Risman methodology used provides tremendous benefits in coordination around the technical and content issues, but also in relation to the environment such as residents and businesses within the project scope. 

Working and dealing with inner-city residents and businesses is becoming increasingly problematic as many interests come together in a limited space, with political interests also playing an important role. The complexity requires a clear and lucid approach and unambiguous communication. Together with the residents' association, a resident has been asked to act as a linking pin and to act as spokesperson in their interests. This resident has a profile that is an excellent fit for the requested role: Respected neighborhood resident, Communicative strong, Knowledge of the neighborhood, Knowledge of public space and above all involved. She has therefore played an important role in the risk sessions, discussions with residents, resident information evenings, etc. 

Realistic planning, phasing of the work, availability and accessibility, budgeting, depot material and equipment, layout (paving and greenery) are the key elements in managing the risks. By jointly arriving at a single plan of approach with a Preliminary, Final and Execution Design, failure costs and wastage are avoided. This also prevents a lot of fuss and discussion about more and less work during execution (client/contractor). The more and less work is reduced to a minimum so that project budgets and estimates fit together again. 

The reason for the redesign is the poor condition of the sewers.

The shared focus on the agreed-upon quality of the work and thus the confidence to enjoy working together for the benefit of all to achieve a good project result with a positive assessment of the environment, makes it fun to work in the GWW and proud to tell about it.

Four key learning experiences:

1. Respect and fun. The actual execution of this work in the inner city shows that fun and craftsmanship go perfectly well together where being able to address each other is considered the most normal thing in the world.
2. Be transparent and assume joint input. Identify shared risks and opportunities. Work toward clear assurance in control and ownership. Avoid surprises through regular consultation.
3. Ensure optimal role distribution to the living environment. In environment management, during the planning and design phase, the client is responsible for providing information to residents. During the construction phase, communication about technology, planning and location rests with the contractor. In both phases, the client and contractor remain involved in communication.
4. Delegate feasible responsibilities in Cables & Pipelines in advance. The principles of cables and pipelines are clearly formulated by the client in the call for tenders. The preliminary process, the inventory of bottlenecks and tenders will be taken care of by the client.
5. Collectively build your basic knowledge and try to innovate. Provide opportunities to build knowledge and apply it in practice.