Amsterdam plans to build between 40,000 and 70,000 rental homes to the west of the city to cater to the huge demand for housing in the Dutch capital.
A significant portion of the homes in Haven-Stad, as the new 650-hectare district will be called, will be social housing units and mid-segment rental homes.
Of the 50,000 new homes planned over the next few years, 80% is destined for low and middle incomes. Half of these 40,000 homes will be built for rents of €711 per month, while the other half will be offered for rents of €850 per month. There is currently a major shortage of houses in this price category in Amsterdam: mid-segment homes typically rent for around €1,500 per month, a level which the authorities are seeking to reduce to make living in the capital more affordable.
The plans for Haven-Stad, which were presented by the city authorities on Thursday, envisage a large-scale living and working district with easy access to public transport and cycling routes into the city centre.
The new district will be built in phases with completion anticipated between 2040 and 2050. Haven-Stad is also expected to lead to the creation of between 45,000 and 58,000 jobs, mainly in the manufacturing and creative sectors.
Commenting on the plans, city alderman for spatial planning Eric van der Burg said: ‘Amsterdam is growing. The city has been gaining 11,000 new residents annually over the past few years. We now have the opportunity to create a fantastic new district on the west side of the city for Amsterdammers and others who would like to live there.’
