Chris Zijdeveld

Chris Zijdeveld  (1944) graduated from Delft University and studied law at Erasmus University. His career moved in another direction in 1974, with his elections as a City Council and Board Member in Schiedam (NL).
He pioneered sustainable city planning, transport and building and the use of renewable energy in buildings. Schiedam got national awards for Traffic Safety and for Energy Saving.
He received the First National Solar Energy Award and recognitions from environmental organisations.
More than 6000 low energy houses and appartments were built. Thousands of existing houses brought to low energy use levels.
In 1994 he started his own consultancy. He founded the unit for Renewable Energy in the Built Environment at the Dutch Energy Research Centre (ECN) in Petten and was involved in many other projects. Highly visible promotor of innovative techniques or invisible as a trouble shooter, resistance breaker or motivator.
He was president of the Dutch section of Friends of the Earth, Chairman of the National Committee Local Agenda 21.
He is President of the International Solar Cities Initiative, Vice President of the International Association of Allotment Gardeners and Chairman of the National Working Group on Energy, Environment and Economy of the Dutch Labour Party.