Municipal Council decides to rename ‘De Uithof’ as 'Utrecht Science Park’
Today, the municipal council of Utrecht decided to officially change the name of the neighbourhood ‘De Uithof’ to ‘Utrecht Science Park’.
Biggest science park in The Netherlands
The Utrecht Science Park is one of the most competitive regions in Europe and the biggest science park in the Netherlands. This name is better suited to the (international) image of the area, immediately makes it clear what type of area it is and makes a direct connection with the city and region of Utrecht.
Utrecht ľϸӰ, ľϸӰ Medical Center Utrecht, the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology, the Hubrecht and Westerdijk institutes, the RIVM, the SSH and companies such as Danone Nutricia Research, Genmab, Merus and GenDX are pleased that the name change will be carried out. The Province of Utrecht, the surrounding municipalities of De Bilt, Bunnik, Zeist, Houten and Nieuwegein, and the Economic Board Utrecht all support the name change as well.
“Together with the area partners, surrounding municipalities and the province, we are happy that the municipal council of Utrecht has decided to officially change the name of the neighbourhood ‘De Uithof’ to ‘Utrecht Science Park’. The name change will put the Utrecht Science Park literally and figuratively on the map in a better way. We are happy with this support from the municipal council. Here, institutions and highly-rated companies collaborate intensively to find new solutions for a healthier and more sustainable life,” says Jan Henk van der Velden, Managing Director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation.
Changing the name of the neighbourhood
After the decision of the municipal council will come into effect, the name change will be carried out. The signposts directing traffic to the area will be changed by various municipalities, the province and Rijkswaterstaat. The naming of public-transport destinations will be changed as well. Most of the area partners are already using the term ‘Utrecht Science Park’ in their communication towards students, employees, patients and visitors in the area.
Development of Utrecht Science Park
Leading research and development companies and knowledge institutions have settled at Utrecht Science Park in the past years, such as Danone Nutricia Research and the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology. Especially in the past decade, Utrecht Science Park has grown to become an area where education and science move together with high-quality healthcare and high-rated companies. Knowledge institutions, research institutes, healthcare and research and development companies collaborate intensively in Utrecht Science Park to find new solutions for a longer and healthier life, now and in the future. These developments have made the area the heart of one of the most competitive regions in Europe, as well as the biggest science park in the Netherlands.
Name ‘De Uithof’ stays connected to the area
The area partners are positive towards the submitted motion to let the name ‘Uithof’ return to the area of Utrecht Science Park in some way. There will be consultation with the area partners on how this can be realised in a fitting way.