Ideas for Amsterdam

As a born and bred “Amsterdammer” I believe that the city should be vibrant, exciting and inspiring. Where people work hard and play hard. Attracting qualified and able people from all over the world to visit and stay. That's the place I grew up in and that is the place where I want to live.

And that is the reason I decided to run for the city council of Amsterdam. On March 11 2010 I was installed as member of the D66 faction March 2010 and the coming years I will be our spokesman on Economic affairs and housing. Under the title “Ideas for Amsterdam” I will focus on several issues I think should be on the political agenda:

  • Better opportunities for developing businesses
  • Improving Amsterdammers' sense of belonging to the city
  • A warm welcome for expats and their families
  • A lively nighttime: liberal opening hours, more podia
  • More houses for middle incomes and families who choose to live in the city
  • Preparing young people for a job

Who is Sebastiaan Capel?

Born in Amsterdam in 1975, I have lived in the city all my life, bar a few years during high school in neighbouring Haarlem. Since graduating at the University of Amsterdam, with a degree in urban studies, I have worked in a number of ways at improving the city. First I worked at City Hall, both on the general staff as press officer and for the city council faction of D66. I led D66's 2006 council campaign and served for one year as our spokesman on economic and international affairs and housing. Taking a break from politics I then worked for the ORAM business association, as an account- and relationships manager. Currently I am self employed as a policy and communications consultant, working for private companies and public services.

Sebastaan capel for inner page

In my time at Town Hall I have helped raise such issues as the difficulties faced bij expats seeking housing, the ambition of Amsterdam to be a creative, knowledge based city. Furthermore I have campaigned for better housing for middle incomes and more events and working spaces for creative entrepreneurs. I intend to continue this line combined with an extra focus on increasing the bond that Amsterdammers, permanent and temporary, feel with their town.

In my spare time I play cricket and enjoy international literature, especially English. I have a broad and diverse social network which keeps me informed about the buzz on the streets.

Contact

http://www.sebastiaancapel.nl/contact.cfm or scapel@raad.amsterdam.nl