Future distribution centers should not only contribute to the economy. They must also offer social added value for the environment. That is the conclusion of the debate ‘Discover the beauty of logistics real estate’, which was held on October 12 in Culemborg. An initiative by Dilas.
Second debate Dilas
It was the second debate of the trade association for logistics and real estate companies this year, which focused on the future of logistics real estate. A theme that has caused a lot of commotion, especially recently after the advice of the Board of Government Advisors, which was critical of the sector. An advice that in turn led to strong reactions from Dilas.
Also read the report of the first debate
It must and can be done differently
Connecting instead of polarization
The second debate on October 12 was not about division, but rather about connecting and being solution-oriented. There is no shortage of good initiatives. Eleven companies used pitches to provide (practical) examples based on various themes on how the logistics sector can indeed make a positive contribution to the sustainable fulfillment of the demand for space in the Netherlands.
Practical examples of how things can be done differently
Martijn Sleutjes of WDP and Diederik de Jonge of Heembouw Architecten showed how ecologists and landscape architects can contribute to the preservation and promotion of biodiversity and ecological value by working together with distribution centers.
Smart mega battery
Solar energy specialists Sunrock, I-Well and Spectral indicated in their pitch that logistics real estate can play a role in the energy problem and that buildings – as is already apparent in practice – have the potential to become energy plants of the future.
Aniek Averesch of Circulair Staal stated that the logistics sector has created seven million square meters of logistics real estate in the past two years, equivalent to 276 million kilos of steel. According to Averesch, of that number of ‘kilos’, less than 3 percent are designed to be dismountable.
Recommendations
DILAS board member Tim Beckmann: “The pitches from the companies show that the logistics sector is taking up the challenge to think about the complex challenges that the Netherlands has in the field of spatial planning. ‘There has been a lot of discussion lately about what the added value of logistics is. That is a shame because the recent report from the Board of Government Advisors ends with many recommendations that were also discussed today about how could you do things differently? It would be so nice if the current polarization stopped.”
Long way to go
Charles Aangendt, senior policy officer at the Ministry of the Interior was also present: “There is a lot of consensus that much more is possible and the examples from the pitches also show this. At the same time, I realize that we have a long way to go. In practice, rules can be very restrictive for innovations, because they are sometimes unknown or unclear, while as a government we must stimulate sustainability.”
According to Aangendt, the great thing about this meeting is that it provides a preview of more searching, finding and inspiring each other together. “At the same time, we must recognize that finding the desired solutions will sometimes be very difficult.”
Beckmann also remains critical: The question of which logistics we need or not is a discussion that, according to him, should be conducted by macroeconomists and not planners and urban planners. “We need infrastructure for people and the same applies to goods. Moreover, we have no discussion about who is allowed to use public transport and who is not. We could make so many big steps as a sector if we at least say that we are going to add value to the environment with every development.”