Amsterdam’s Canal Belt on UNESCO Heritage List
UNESCO has added Amsterdam’s Canal Belt to the list of World Heritage sites, because this part of Amsterdam is a showpiece of urban planning and architecture.
Late 16th and early 17th century Amsterdam prospered and an ever increasing number of people settled in the city. To solve the housing shortage, Amsterdam embarked on the canal belt project. Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht and Singel were dug,four canals encircling the old city centre. They provided homes for the influx of people. Plots were limited in size, 9 m (30 ft) wide and 54 m (190 ft) deep, of which 25 m (82 ft) was reserved for the compulsory garden. These newly built canal houses solved the housing problem for the time being and brought in revenue. This large-scale town planning served as a reference throughout the world until the 19th century.
Until 6 September, Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum runs an exhibition entitled, Amsterdam’s Canal Belt: The Expansion of Amsterdam in the Golden Age. Six views by Gerrit Berckheyde (1638-1698) depicting the Gouden Bocht, the Golden Bend, on the Herengracht Canal are the centre pieces of this exhibition.
The UNESCO listing has been received with mixed feelings. The city council is enthusiastic because of an expected influx of tourists. Locals fear that new rules will turn the city centre into a museum where private initiatives such as unofficial mini-gardens next to the house boats or extra canal side terraces are regulated or even banned.
Big Loft in Red Light DistrictQUICK FACTS
WHAT: Amsterdam’s Canal Belt: The Expansion of Amsterdam in the Golden Age
WHERE: Rijksmuseum, Jan Luykenstraat 1 (map)
WHEN: until 6 September 2010
OPENING HOURS: 09:00 – 18:00
ADMISSION: €12.50
Related article: Golden Bend: Where Wealthy Amsterdammers Live
photo credit: Air photo of the historical centre of Amsterdam. Source: Bureau Monumenten & Archeologie of Amsterdam.
