Booming Noord
Together, the white giant, the EYE Film Museum, and the A’dam Tower tell a story. The story of the transformation of Amsterdam Noord, from a rough industrial area to a vibrant district for young and old. This area has been a cultural hotspot since 2014, with its art galleries, dance studios and several cinema and theatre halls. Paradiso programs shows at its concert hall and garden hall.
Verdedig Noord
Not everyone is jumping for joy about Noord’s coolness. Some dread gentrification – the process by which original residents are forced to move out as richer people move in. A powerful grassroots movement regularly comes to Noord’s defence. Organisations such as 'Defend Noord' and 'Save Amsterdam Noord' are committed to protecting the district’s original social dynamics.
Demolition of the IJ-Lab, one of the Shell buildings on the former Shell site, seen from the IJ from the southwest. Next to it Tower Overhoeks, formerly the tower of Shell-research B.V.
Overhoeks, Doriann Kransberg, 2004, Stadsarchief Amsterdam / Kransberg
Overhoeks, Doriann Kransberg, 2004, Stadsarchief Amsterdam / Kransberg
Prime Minister Balkenende's visit to IJ-oevers Noord. Information centre Overhoeks, Doriann Kransberg, 2009, Stadsarchief Amsterdam / Kransberg
Top image: Panorama of the IJ and Overhoeks, seen from De Ruijterkade, Doriann Kransberg, 2010, Stadsarchief Amsterdam
Related
Amsterdam-Noord in Dutch film
Story by Harry Hosman for Ons Amsterdam
Filmmakers increasingly choose Noord for films and television series: Dunya and Desie, Penoza, Katia's sister, Langer licht, Noord Zuid, Lieve Céline and many more. The film world has discovered the other side of the IJ. Finally. In the last century, the district seemed to be nonexistent on the screen.
To the storyRed Amsterdam Noord
Organization
Red Amsterdam Noord is a group of active residents, old and new, of this green, social and distinctive district.
We see Noord changing fast. That's part of the city. But we also worry. The divide is growing. The quality of life is under pressure. Densification here, neglect there. That has to change. That's why we make the voice of the Northerner heard in places of power and policy. We want to: restore the face of Noord, stop displacement and adjust densification.
To the websiteVerdedig Noord
Organization
Verdedig Noord is a residents' organisation from Amsterdam-Noord that fights for a city of solidarity and against gentrification, through art and activism.
To the websiteHow gentrification is changing the city
Video report by VPRO Tegenlicht
Major cities around the world have become a magnet for newcomers, tourists, expats and digital nomads. In our capital Amsterdam, the pressure is also increasing. Over the next 15 years, the city should continue to grow to reach the number of 1 million inhabitants. Will we thereby follow London or Paris, where the middle class is disappearing? What will this do to the capital and can anything be done about it?
Reuzen van Noord
Podwalk by De Reuzen van Noord
Reuzen van Noord is a community project that focuses on connecting people with each other and with nature. Based on real stories of residents from stadsdeel Noord (van der Pek and Vogelbuurt), six fictional characters are created. These characters are not people, but trees. In the audio tour, they talk about life as a tree while groaning and swaying. What is it like to see their habitat change? What does this do to them? What can we humans learn from these ancient and original inhabitants of Old North?
To the websiteDesigner Fiets
Song by Massih Hutak
The song “Designer bike” by writer, activist and rapper Massih Hutak from 2022 flawlessly describes the gentrification processes in North through the example of a VanMoof bicycle.
Andromeda Story Bench
Podcast by Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab Amsterdam
Andromeda, a student in the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab program at Hogeschool InHolland, came up with a way to connect people in increasingly crowded Amsterdam Noord more. The result: an audio story bench on the Buikslotermeerplein. You can listen to the stories here.
To the storiesTour through Noord — district in transition
City walk from De Ceuvel
Besides a tour of our own grounds, we also really enjoy telling more about the immediate surroundings of the Ceuvel. We take you through a neighborhood with many faces, which is currently going through a major transition. De Ceuvel is one of the figureheads of this transition and from our shipyard we see everything around us transforming. Through the eyes of a Ceuvel resident, we tell the story of Noord as we experience it.
To the websiteAmsterdam Noord: the trendy city
City walk by Frank Wandelt
Lovely short walk through über-hip Amsterdam-Noord. Taking the ferry from Amsterdam Central is already fun. The return trip from terminus NDSM-werf is a party. And in between, this walk threads highlight after highlight. Combine it with lunch in one of the many trendy places and you have a blissful afternoon.
To the websiteThe stories
