AMSTERDAM: The Path to a Sustainable and Livable City

🏙️ Amsterdam is expanding urban development beyond the canals and downtown into outer regions.

🌆 The Amsterdam city council has introduced a plan to develop existing areas, redevelop industrial communities, and build more high-rises and public transport.

🚲 Amsterdam was originally founded as a fishing village in the 12th Century and implemented the canal network in the 17th Century mainly for transport, water, and defense reasons.

🏙️ The construction of new neighborhoods in Amsterdam's Western, South-Eastern, and Northern parts helped alleviate the city's housing shortage and provided affordable housing with modern conveniences.

🌊 Amsterdam's location below sea level has been a major challenge for the Netherlands, and the city relies on dykes to protect against flooding.

🛣️ Amsterdam's highway system is designed to be less intrusive, with no major highways splitting through the city but rather just circles and main arterial roads.

🚗 The lack of highways in Amsterdam encourages walking, cycling, and public transport.

🚶‍♀️🚴‍♂️🚆 Limited car access and more cycling and walking options create a relaxed and positive atmosphere.

🏡 Amsterdam's height limit preserves its village-like atmosphere.

🚲 Amsterdam is known as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world.

🚲 Amsterdam is known for its extensive cycling network, with over 1 million bicycles in the city.

🏞️ The major canal in Amsterdam has roads that go under it, allowing major ships to pass without height limits.

🚆 Amsterdam has a well-connected public transport system, including trams, buses, and ferries that meet at the Amsterdam Central Transport Hub.

🚴 Amsterdam has a vast network of cycle tracks, with separate lanes and shared roads, making it easy and efficient for cycling.

🌳 Amsterdam has abundant green spaces, with 13% of the city being classified as green space.

🔗 The connectivity of the cycling pathways in Amsterdam is a key factor in its effectiveness as a cycling city.

🏙️ Amsterdam's efficiency as a city is attributed to its open and green spaces, creating a relaxed vibe and subconscious happiness.

🗺️ The Structural Amsterdam 2040 Vision Master Plan aims to manage the city's growth by densifying existing communities, building new districts, and improving public transport networks.

🏗️ The plan includes 6 main special tasks, such as densification, transforming areas, investing in green space and sustainable energy, and developing necessary infrastructure.

Amsterdam's 2040 masterplan includes the redevelopment of waterways and the Southern Business District, 'Zuidas'.

'Zuidas' is the second downtown area in Amsterdam, relying on highway and train connections.

The train station in 'Zuidas' is under development and will be the second largest rail transport hub in the city, connecting all of Amsterdam's neighborhoods and the rest of the Netherlands and Western Europe.

🏙️ Amsterdam is an efficient city with advanced urban planning methods.

🚗 Amsterdam prioritizes people over cars.

😊 The social atmosphere of Amsterdam makes the journey enjoyable.