Waterlooplein, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 1926-1980. As you can see the canal had been filled already in 1926. But the 80’s brought huge changes. The Mozes and Aäronkerk can be seen in the top right.
It’s interesting, because you don’t necessarily think of Amsterdam’s city centre as a place where urban renewal has had a significant impact. For the most part, major estates and concerns were built in the suburban areas of the city. However, there was a major push to redevelop the centre, given the age of the buildings and state of them within some quarters and transportation issues (lack of major arteries, building of the metro system). The major streets connecting Waterlooplein to Niewmarketplein (SP?), and the Central Station, were basically wiped out and rebuilt with new buildings. I believe in addition to the Metro that was built under this area, a highway was planned and later abandoned.
hotbowlofsoupsays
Part of the Jewish neighborhood before the war. Which explains why they could demolish it after; almost everyone who lived and worked there was killed.
The building on the bottom right, for example, was the Jewish boy orphanage. All boys and their care takers got deported in 1943. Out of almost a hundred, two survived.
All this was demolished to build a city hall/opera and subway.
gbarillsays
Ok thanks for sharing this! I saw the picture of Moses and Aaron Church someone shared the other day and was trying to find a comparison photo just like this!
UltimateShamesays
That’s how you destroy beauty. They should have left it the way it was.
Jhuliette says
Because of this sub, I actually know what the Mozes en Aäronkerk is. That’s a big deal!
Also, thank you for sharing. I find the growth in this area very interesting.
vonGlick says
Is that where that where they build National Opera house? That place looks ugly
champagneflute says
It’s interesting, because you don’t necessarily think of Amsterdam’s city centre as a place where urban renewal has had a significant impact. For the most part, major estates and concerns were built in the suburban areas of the city. However, there was a major push to redevelop the centre, given the age of the buildings and state of them within some quarters and transportation issues (lack of major arteries, building of the metro system). The major streets connecting Waterlooplein to Niewmarketplein (SP?), and the Central Station, were basically wiped out and rebuilt with new buildings. I believe in addition to the Metro that was built under this area, a highway was planned and later abandoned.
hotbowlofsoup says
Part of the Jewish neighborhood before the war. Which explains why they could demolish it after; almost everyone who lived and worked there was killed.
The building on the bottom right, for example, was the Jewish boy orphanage. All boys and their care takers got deported in 1943. Out of almost a hundred, two survived.
All this was demolished to build a city hall/opera and subway.
gbarill says
Ok thanks for sharing this! I saw the picture of Moses and Aaron Church someone shared the other day and was trying to find a comparison photo just like this!
UltimateShame says
That’s how you destroy beauty. They should have left it the way it was.