Ravel-EN

Background

Ravel will offer high-quality housing and many exclusive retail outlets. There will be plenty of room for pedestrians since nearly all parking (of both vehicles and bicycles) will be underground, creating a particularly relaxed public area. This zone of the Zuidas will also include some offices, schools and other public amenities.
The Ravel development will occupy land currently used by the AFC football pitches, the University Sports Centre and a car park. The residential climate will benefit from Ravel's proximity to Amaliapark, from which 'green fingers' will extend into the urban area at various points (see photos). A connection over the A10 to Beatrixpark is also planned. The high-rise residential towers to the south of the area will be alongside the new De Boelegracht canal.

Ravel will offer an exclusive shopping street, comprising part of Beethovenstraat and the extension of Mahlerlaan. It will be comparable to today's 'upmarket' PC Hooftstraat, with various designer and luxury goods outlets. At the junction with Mahlerlaan will be a pedestrianized square – Ravelplein – with a five-star hotel, a 'grand café' and other public amenities.

The AFC playing fields are to move to the east (see the Vivaldi project description), while the University Sports Club will find a new home in the Science Park in Watergraafsmeer.

Ravel will devote particular attention to sustainable development. The Dutch Green Building Council (www.dgbc.nl), on which many of the Ravel developers are represented, has designated it a pilot project for sustainable design. Only sustainable construction materials and methods will be used. Buildings will have a centralized district heating system and underground heat storage.