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Amsterdam invests millions to clean up the Red Light district
Amsterdam has long been a bit of asordid playground - it is one of the only places in the world where you can go to legally smoke some pot and visit a prostitute. Because of its very liberal laws, Amsterdam created a pretty bad image of itself. To many people, the first thing they think of when you mention Amsterdam is not its many canals and beautiful architecture, but hookers and weed. It's the main reason thousands upon thousands of tourists visit the city each year, helped by extremely low airfares from the European carriers.
The Amsterdam council is trying its best to change that image, and has started project "1012" (1012 is the postcode number for the city center).
The city has already purchased, and closed over 100 of the windows where women would display their "goods". Next up are the many coffeeshops, which obviously sell more than just coffee. The city has created a multi-million Euro fund to pay for converting these stores to something less sleazy, like an ice cream shop or bar. One entrepreneur was paid 25 million Euro's to close 60 of his windows, obviously making for a pretty decent retirement payment.
The end result should hopefully convert the old Wallen into a more tourist friendly district, without window after window of prostitution. That does not mean the city is completely abolishing the Red Light district - there will still be some windows, just a lot less than the current 482. Amsterdam clearly hopes to attract a different kind of tourist than the ones heading to their city for nothing more than sex and drugs.
Filed under: Europe, Netherlands
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
maique Sep 6th 2009 2:43PM
sordid ? smoking a joint is sordid ?? wow....
Scott Carmichael Sep 6th 2009 7:58PM
That is not what I said - I said the city of Amsterdam is sordid. Nothing wrong with smoking a joint. But you have to admit that a city that built its tourism industry around hookers, weed and beer does deserve the reputation of being sordid.
maique Sep 7th 2009 5:32AM
ok. i still disagree. calling amsterdam sordid is still not fair.
what about all the amazing museums ? the city itself and the way it's unique on it's own merit ? you have hundreds of reasons to visit amsterdam, and i bet most of the tourist that go there don't even smoke or take advantage of the sex offers..
it's a great place to visit, amazing restaurants, monuments, markets and a lot more. reducing that to sex and drugs seems unfair to me, but maybe it's just me..
thanks for the reply.
Chrissie Oct 21st 2009 3:20AM
First of all, it is important to recognize the tremendous good these industries (both legalized prostitution and marijuana) have done for the Dutch economy. The United States, along with many other countries, could really learn a thing or two from Holland's example.
Second of all, I completely agree with Maique's comment. By definition, "sordid" means: "marked by baseness or grossness : vile" (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sordid). None of those accurately describe the Netherlands at all. Holland has some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole world. It is absolutely unfair and out of line to refer to the Netherlands as "sordid".
Thirdly, I think it's extremely important for you to check your spelling and grammar before you start bashing an entire nation.