Sustainable and innovative
The concepts of sustainability and quality are the guidelines for the entire Emmen City Centre Development Project. ‘Sustainability’ will be interpreted according to the concept of eco-effectiveness (doing only what is environmentally responsible and refraining from doing the opposite). We are taking into consideration the central government’s point of departure that the cradle-to-cradle concept will be generally accepted by 2010.
A few examples:
- New sources of energy such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass will be embedded in the planning process / area development, partly in the form of pilot projects that use innovative sources of energy.
- The sustainable development of property and the development of a continuing network of suppliers and buyers.
- Designated use / layout of Centrum-West to be based on sustainable water extraction (with added value).
- Within the innovative concept for the zoo with theatre, the theatre clearly adds more value.
- With dimensions of 100 x 250 metres, we are committed to creating a dynamic central square of excellent quality.
- Unique architecture of super quality, used as attractions where possible.
- Actively encourage and involve the creative sector and innovative companies in developing and elaborating the plans (particularly the Hoofdstraat site).
New concept for the zoo with theatre: a model for sustainability
The concept for the new experiential park will make Zoo Emmen a forerunner in a new generation of zoos, just as it was before in the 1970s. The concept combines the natural world, culture and education and will be a model and a living lab for sustainability, energy technology and water technology (making optimum use of innovative sensor technology).
Key words here are innovation and sustainability. As an international attraction, an exportable concept, (as demonstrated during a visit to China) and as a model for the export of sustainable technology within an educational setting, the new zoo will result in all kinds of spin-offs.