Lot van Hooijdonk

Lot van Hooijdonk (1978) has been alderman in Utrecht since 2014 and her portfolio includes mobility, energy and the spatial projects Lunetten-Koningsweg and Overvecht. In previous periods, she was responsible for green, animal welfare and the environment.

The GroenLinks councillor is also a member of the board of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) and chair of the VNG committee on Economy, Climate, Energy and Environment.

During her time as alderman, she put Utrecht on the map as a cycling city, with the world's largest bicycle parking facility (12,500 spaces at the station) and a finely-meshed network of good cycle paths. Energy transition got off the ground in her period, with plans for natural gas-free neighbourhoods and renewable energy generation, among other things.

As alderman, she sees her main task as ensuring a pleasant city that is ready for the future. ‘I think one of the biggest issues of our time is climate change. To do something about this, sustainability is paramount in all choices. In Utrecht, it's all about the quality of life; I'm actually alderman happiness.’