Referendum Main green structure

On 6 June, the residents of Amsterdam will not only make their voices heard on the European elections, but also on the Main Green Structure (HGS). This is a policy plan of the City of Amsterdam, on which an advisory referendum has been organised. But what are we actually voting on? DWARS Noord-Holland - Flevoland explains!

Vote green on June 6!

What is the Main Green Structure (HGS)?

The Main Green Structure is a document containing municipality policies on green areas. It describes which of these areas should be protected from housing development, for example. This document thus links the city's growth to the preservation of green spaces.

What are you voting for?

Amsterdam has had an HGS for many years. At the end of 2022, the municipality came out with a new version, containing, for instance, extensions of protected areas, but also exception rules. These rules leave room for building in protected green spaces. A group of Amsterdammers disagreed with this proposal, and gathered enough support for an advisory referendum. So on 6 June, Amsterdammers will vote for or against the proposed decision on the municipality's Main Green Structure.

The new proposed HGS is an improvement, right?

That is true, but we think that the proposal still needs to improve some important points. We see that the municipal government has made steps in the right direction. For example, with a committee issuing an opinion earlier, more areas being protected (even if there are building plans there) and the recognition of the value of nature independent of people.

On the other hand, the little nature in Amsterdam has been under pressure for some time due to many developments and piling exceptions. The alderman has also dropped stitches in involving residents. That is why we as DWARS want to send the signal that the HGS really can and must improve.

Go vote!

DWARS Noord-Holland - Flevoland will vote on 6 June, and vote no. We call on every Amsterdammer to do the same! DWARS stands for unconditional protection of green areas and room for nature in a liveable city. Especially in these times of ecological crisis and climate crisis, we expect more ambitions. So go and vote on 6 June!