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Amsterdam, The Netherlands' Eastern Docklands
From the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century until the 1970s, the harbor islands off the eastern coast of Amsterdam were teeming with dockworkers, cargo ships, huge ocean steamers, cranes, and warehouses, while shipbuilders and trading companies were involved in business with the Dutch East Indies and other areas. Then, in the early 20th century, passenger ships filled with European emigrants en route to the Americas sailed from these Oostenlijk Havengebied, or Eastern Docklands.
Towards the end of the 20th century, the area had become outdated and the water too shallow to handle modern vessels, so it was abandoned by shipping companies for more up-to-date facilities established on the west side of town, near the North Sea Canal. During the 1970s, Amsterdam’s 140 acres of deserted docklands became a haven for artists, as well as squatters and drug dealers who moved into the dilapidated warehouses.
At the same time, due to a shortage of housing in Amsterdam, the city was losing large numbers of middle income families who were seeking space to raise their children and, in the 1980s, plans to transform the Eastern Docklands into a new urban center were launched. This very successful urban planning and renewal project has given birth to a unique, trendy area called Nieuw Oost (New East) by the locals. And, these neighborhoods offer visitors to Amsterdam even more to explore.
New Neighborhood in the Eastern Docklands
Four islands and two peninsulas, each with a different flavor, comprise the vibrant new communities that provide over 8,000 residences. By commissioning and retaining architects whose vision and talent are diverse, the homes range from small canal houses to large buildings, each with their own style. On one street of Borneo-eiland, owners of the 60 individual plots of land were encouraged to employ innovative architects, and even though the plots are identical, the homes are amazingly diverse. Throughout the islands, the new residences differ in materials, color and design, and they are also varied in size and price, providing both “social” (government subsidized) and private housing for a variety of families. As in the rest of the city, foot bridges play an important role. On the Eastern Docklands, whimsical, unusual, and uniquely designed bridges join the islands to each other and to the mainland.
The residents of the Eastern Docklands are largely professionals and artists who enjoy the urban lifestyle and creative atmosphere. Surrounded by local street art, lots of green space and water (of course), the apartments, houseboats and garden flats are filled with growing families who are happy to be able to remain in Amsterdam. Vacationing families will especially delight in an opportunity to live the local lifestyle.
Visitors to the islands have several ways to get there from Central Station. Besides a brisk walk (under one-half hour), you can take Bus #42 or Tram #26, or a ferry from Pier 8 behind the station. Guided boat tours are available from Rederij Lovers (+31 (0) 20 5301 090). Walking tours can be arranged through Arttra (+31 (0) 20 0259 303) and Bakker & Bakker (+31 (0) 20 6836 359). Or, you can explore on your own via foot or bicycle with a helpful guide published by ARCAM (Amsterdam Centre for Architecture).
There are several cool shops (and more to come, I’m sure) where it’s fun to browse. Check out one of the six Sissy-Boy Homeland locations in Amsterdam for hip clothing and shoes as well as furniture and accessories, Pol’s Potten (+31 (0) 20 4193 541), located in a former cocoa bean warehouse, for home and garden accessories and Keet in Huis (+31 (0) 20 4195 958) which sells everything for hip and trendy babies, toddlers and children. Many cafes and restaurants, some offering live music performances, line the streets overlooking the water.
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