Madurodam: Striving for a Small Environmental Footprint

Sustainability is sweeping through the event industry and is changing how venues act today and how they think about the future. This is especially true for Madurodam, a famous location for people of all ages throughout the Netherlands. Madurodam, located in The Hague, is known for being the miniature version of the Netherlands where it is possible to walk through the country in an hour and a half. Madurodam was built in 1952 and named for George Maduro, a World War II hero. As Bart van Doorn, Sales Manager at Madurodam Events, put it “We are the happiest war monument in the world.” 

Bart shared that most people in the Netherlands will visit Madurodam three times in their life. When they are kids, when they have kids, and when they have grandchildren. But it is also an event space hosting around 250 events per year, with a main building that can support events up to 1200 people. There has been an emphasis on giving back to society since its inception as its founder Mrs. Boon-van der Starp came up with the idea in order to raise money for students suffering from tuberculosis. They also currently run the Madurodam Child Foundation and they “always want to give [back] to children, because children are the future of the Netherlands,” Bart mentioned. Their focus on giving back nowadays has turned more towards becoming increasingly sustainable. 

Sustainability is entering the DNA of how Madurodam operates as Bart said, “we did try already a lot to make the park more sustainable.” Solar panels were installed on the building 20-25 years ago. Motion detectors have been installed in order to more efficiently use energy with lighting. In order to save energy and not simultaneously heat and cool rooms, a central building management system was installed. Spaces can now be individually heated and cooled for events rather than having to use energy where it is not needed.

Madurodam is making changes small and large to increase its sustainability and lessen their environmental footprint. Waste is being separated, electric charges are available in the parking lot to promote the use of electric vehicles, and their cleaning company is using environmentally friendly cleaning products and materials. All of these changes are a result of Madurodam taking on a mindset focused around going green. Their DNA is becoming more sustainable for the children that visit as well as when those children have children and Madurodam can help provide an environment ready for the future.