Welcome to Amsterdam: A City Where Everyone’s a Tourist (Including You)
Ah, Amsterdam! The land of canals, cheese, and a cycling culture that might as well be a sport. But hold on to your wooden clogs, folks, because it seems our beloved city is undergoing an urban magic trick — *poof!* Half of the residents have vanished! According to city chronicler Geert Mak, about 47 percent of Amsterdammers from 2013 don’t live there anymore. But don’t worry; newcomers are as abundant as tulips in the spring, popping in and out of this ever-evolving metropolis.
The City of Movement: An Urban Soapy Drama
Geert, the man with a sharp pen and keen historical insight, refers to Amsterdam as a “city of movement.” Now, I don’t know about you, but this sounds like the plot of a soap opera: “As the Canal Turns.” In the story of Amsterdam, you have students, expats, and families moving in and then swiftly stepping out, making way for a fresh wave of hopeful inhabitants. They come for the job opportunities and vibrant culture, only to realize that living in a postcard isn’t just about pretty pictures; it’s about finding a *real* home.
But what’s the deal? Is it the 100 different ways you can eat herring? Or is it an overwhelming rental market that looks more like a treasure map with “X” marking the spot — in someone else’s bank account? Are the people losing their connection with neighborhoods, streets, and that quirky little cafe where everyone knows your name? I mean, you could be too busy packing your bags to even know what you’re missing!
The Nieuwmarkt: Where Local Shops Go to Die
Now, let’s talk about the Nieuwmarkt area where Geert has planted his flag since 1980. Once upon a time, it was the tale of loyal residents and beloved local shops. But it seems like the locals have become as rare as a sunny day in Amsterdam — and what’s left? “Tourist junk,” as Geert puts it. Slagerij Vincent, a local champion of butcher shops, has closed its doors, leaving behind a sad tale of what happens when tourists take over the neighborhood and locals are driven out of their own communities.
And isn’t it just grand when a local butcher is replaced with yet another souvenir shop selling beer mats? I can just picture it now: “Hey, love, while you’re there, could you pick me up one of those adorable keychains shaped like a windmill?” But do we really need more trinkets, or would it be better to have our local heroes back on the front lines? Geert thinks so, too. He’s calling on the Amsterdam municipal council to keep an eye out for stores that are more “tainted tourist trap” than “local gem.”
Call of the World Village: A Charm Offensive
Interestingly enough, Amsterdam was a dilapidated shadow of its current self not so long ago. But instead of knocking down half the city for the sake of progress, Amsterdam has retained its charm, creating a unique atmosphere that blends “world city” with “world village.” Talk about the ultimate urban remix!
Geert’s plea? That cities like Amsterdam, Paris, and Barcelona unite in their struggle against bore-dom disguised as businesses. He’s suggesting that they band together to lobby for better policies from Brussels. You know, like *Avengers Assemble!* but for *avoiding boredom while shopping.* Now, that’s a superhero team I’d sign up for!
So, what’s the moral of the story, dear readers? Let’s keep Amsterdam delightful, dynamic, and presented with more local baggage than someone shouting “My bike!” at a crowded intersection. Sure, people may move in and out, but let’s ensure that those remaining have a place to call home.
Approximately half of the residents who called Amsterdam home in 2013 have departed the city a decade later, marking a significant demographic shift. This trend isn’t limited to transient students or expats; it encompasses families and young Amsterdammers who, unable to secure housing in the bustling metropolis, are actively seeking new places to settle. City chronicler Geert Mak has voiced his concerns about this alarming trend. “People’s sense of rootedness is decreasing. And that will have consequences,” he notes, suggesting that the ongoing loss of belonging could have far-reaching implications for the community.
While Geert Mak may not have been born in Amsterdam, his extensive knowledge of the city, reflected in his recent work A Short History of Amsterdam, underscores what makes this city distinctive. In celebration of Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary, he has released an updated edition that addresses the city’s evolution over the past decade.
Hotel Amsterdam
Mak aptly describes Amsterdam as a ‘city of movement,’ characterizing it as a vibrant trading hub and a haven for migrants, where the only constant seems to be change itself. However, the pace of this transformation has accelerated in recent years, as more individuals opt for temporary stays in the city before moving on. “Of the people who lived in the city in 2013, 47 percent have moved away. Almost half,” he highlights, emphasizing the rapid turnover of the population.
Despite the abundance of job opportunities and entertainment options that Amsterdam continues to provide, the constant influx of newcomers—students, expats, and migrants—raises a pressing question for the future: how can the city make these transient residents feel a deeper sense of belonging?
Mak further emphasizes that the exodus isn’t restricted to expats; young locals are also leaving due to the housing crisis. “People’s attachment to their neighborhoods, to their streets, is becoming less important. And that will have consequences,” he asserts, pointing to a worrying shift in community bonds.
The shops of the Nieuwmarktbuurt
The changes Mak observes are particularly evident in the Nieuwmarkt, a neighborhood he chose to call home in 1980. Once known for the loyalty of its residents, even during tougher times characterized by addiction and crime, it now faces a different challenge. “But the strange thing is that you now read a lot of articles in the local newspaper with sentiments from people who say: ‘we are leaving now’. And that is mainly due to tourism.”
One prominent example of this shift is Slagerij Vincent, a beloved local butcher that closed its doors at the end of 2023, marking the end of an era. “That business was very popular in the neighborhood. Now there is tourist junk. And you don’t understand why it can survive,” Mak lamented, reflecting on the loss of community-centric businesses.
Mak hopes that the municipal council will take stricter action against businesses engaging in money laundering disguised as legitimate shops. “Monitor your stores, monitor your streets, because suddenly it is nothing at all anymore,” he urges. However, he acknowledges the complexity of enacting such policies, citing various European regulations that hinder local governance. He believes cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and Barcelona would benefit from collective action to influence Brussels on these pressing issues.
World city, world village
These perplexing challenges arise in a city that struggled with poverty and neglect until well into the twentieth century. Ironically, it is precisely this history that has allowed Amsterdam to preserve its unique charm. “As a result, we have never had the money to demolish half the place, like in Paris. That makes it a city with a lot of intimacy,” explains Mak. He perceives Amsterdam as a paradox: a world city that simultaneously embodies the essence of a close-knit village, contributing to its distinctive atmosphere and the unique happiness that residents associate with living in Amsterdam.
