Amsterdam has earned a global reputation as an enlightened city with a high quality of life. Well what if the price for that quality of life was that your bothersome neighbors were forcibly relocated to "scum villages" on the outskirts of town?
Caitlin Dewey dissects several news reports on controversial (to say the least) plans by Amsterdam's officials to relocate trouble-making neighbors to camps of "container homes" on the outskirts of the city where they will be provided only with basic services while being monitored by police or social workers.
So what could get you thrown into one of what critics are calling "scum villages"? Engaging in "repeated, small-scale harassment, like bullying gay neighbors or intimidating police witnesses," says Dewey. "If this reads a little like ghettoization, you’re not the only one to notice. Amsterdam Mayor Eberhard van der Laan has already faced a number of questions about the fairness of the plan, as well as the fear that crowding troublemakers together will simply breed more trouble."
Maybe something is being lost in the translation, but this scheme sounds like a prelude to the atrocious types of segregation and forced relocations that were supposed to have been left behind with the dawn of a new millenium.
FULL STORY: Amsterdam plans to relocate troublemakers to ‘scum villages’
Amsterdam's 'Scum Village' Gets First Residents
Amsterdam has sent its first family to go live in a ghetto on the east side of the city, now commonly known as "scum village."
Cities Are Interested in Adopting Generative AI. What’s Stopping Them?
Only a fraction of cities interested in using generative artificial intelligence to enhance how they operate have made moves to adopt to the technology. What are the obstacles to adoption and what can be learned from local governments who’ve already taken the leap?
Eurostar Temporarily Closing Two High-Speed Rail Routes
Eurostar is temporarily closing routes from London to Disneyland Paris and London to Amsterdam.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
NJ Transit Trains Delayed by Extreme Heat
Breakdowns in the subway network’s HVAC system caused dangerously high temperatures on platforms, while heat-induced track expansion forced trains to slow down.
A Case for Universal Rental Assistance
A pair of researchers argues that expanding rental assistance programs for low-income households is the most effective way to alleviate the housing crisis.
Office Conversions Have Increased Every Year This Decade
Since the pandemic, office vacancy rates remain high, leading many cities to adjust zoning codes to accommodate adaptive reuse.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
Sarasota County Government
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)