NEW USE FOR OLD AREAS (29 april 2004)
When you live in a big city like I do, new residential areas can be built without you ever having seen them.
Amsterdam used to have a large shipping industry, much of which is lost now. Two decades ago there were large areas with docks and warehouses that were not in use any more.
These mainly industrial areas have been residentialized - and quite succesfully, I conclude from what I saw when I yesterday paid my first visit to the area.
A great variety of colours has been used.
What I liked is that remnants of docks and quays have often been left intact so that the area still very much has the feel of the harbour.
Although no old building-styles have been imitated, the typical character of Amsterdam with its canals has been preserved.
Finally a picture of the Jan Schaeferbrug, a piece of modern engineering.
