Indische Buurt

Indische Buurt
Coordinates (Javaplein): 52°21.830′N 4°56.373′E
Population	23,357

Indische Buurt ("Indies Neighborhood") is a neighborhood in the eastern portion of the city of Amsterdam, in the Dutch province of Noord-Holland. The name dates from the early 20th century, and is derived from the fact that the neighborhood's streets are named after islands and other geographical concepts in the former Dutch colony of the Dutch East Indies. The first street was named in 1902.

In 2003, there were around 23,357 inhabitants. The neighborhood is bounded on the west by the railroad Amsterdam - Hilversum (with the Muiderpoort Station), on the east side by Flevopark, on the north side by Zeeburgerdijk and on the south side by the Ringvaart Watergraafsmeer.

Indische Buurt is the oldest part of the Zeeburg district and is very ethnically diverse, and a high percentage of the population is of immigrant origin (for Zeeburg this is already high at 55%, but higher in the Indische Buurt) and there are an estimated 100 languages spoken.

History

The impetus was given to create a new district in the early 20th century, as Amsterdam had previously experienced large population growth. The construction of the district was well under way on the wave of economic growth that followed the completion of the North Sea Canal in 1876 and the commissioning of the Merwedekanaal in 1892. The growth continued for some time, with an interruption in the 1930s as a result of the Great Depression. Indische Buurt was relatively isolated from the rest of the city by its position behind the railway line that runs through the area, and connects Amsterdam Centraal with Utrecht, until 1939 when Muiderpoort Station was built. From the 1960s the Amsterdam port to the west was moved and the district became a pure residential area.

Redevelopment

The Javastraat in the Indische Buurt

At this moment the area is undergoing rapid gentrification, as formerly squatted buildings, as well as former student housing, are being renewed and placed for sale on the Dutch housing market. Timorplein is a particular area of focus for the area's urban gentrification, and the square's renewal is set for completion during the summer of 2010. Situated on the square is a new cultural institution which includes: Studio K a theater/gallery/cafe/restaurant, the new 'Stayokay' hostel and IIRE, which includes meeting and conference rooms. Also, nearby the Zeeburgerdijk tram stop is 'Pompstation', a restaurant and cafe located in a former industrial building. In addition, one of the district's major roads, the Javastraat, has been transformed into a new Mediterranean-style shopping boulevard, which included the repaving of streets and improved bicycle parking. During 2010 on the Javaplein, (building Borneohof) a large library, restaurant / terrace promenade is being constructed.

Public transport

GVB tram lines 3, 7 and 14 have their terminus in Indische Buurt. Line 3 has its terminus at the Muiderpoort Station, and lines 7 and 14 at Flevopark.

Bus lines 15, 22, 37, 40 and 41 run through Indische Buurt.

Trains to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht / Rhenen and Amersfoort stop at Muiderpoort Station, on the border with Watergraafsmeer.

Jewish Cemetery

To the east of Indische Buurt is the site of a Jewish cemetery. It was in use since 1714 by the Jewish Community, and there are an estimated 200,000 people buried there. It is no longer in active use.

Flevopark

Main article: Flevopark

On the east side of Indische Buurt is Flevopark, which includes the outdoor Flevopark swimming pools. This park was given concrete form in 1908. The naturalist Jac. P. Thijsse envisioned a park between the Jewish Cemetery and the Nieuwe Diep.

The expropriation procedure began in 1914, and from 1921 there was money available to obtain the land suitable for building the park. In 1928, the construction of the park began.