What's happened to the RLD?

[Cudi_420]

I have been to Amsterdam multiple times - 6 in total - in 2007, 2010 and 2013.

In 2007, I remember be in awe of the RLD. The buzz, the excitement, the atmosphere. It was an amazing place.

In 2010, it was similarly exciting, but it had lost a bit of the pizzazz: windows had been shut, as had some coffeeshops, and as the sun set and the curious tourists tired of the red lights, it appeared to have lost a bit of its appeal.

In 2013, last week, I was gobsmacked at how uninspiring the place has become.

The iconic "Chickitas" sign is gone - are they replacing it?

Many buildings are undergoing construction.

Sex workers numbers appear to have dwindled significantly since 2007 (I am not a sex customer but I thoroughly enjoy looking at the windows).

The area in general just...well...I felt it was kind of boring.

Is Amsterdam ruining its RLD?

I stayed in De Pijp, my favourite part of the city, and I acknowledge that the RLD is hardly representative of the greater Amsterdam experience, but it's still a very important part of the city's history and liberalism, which I think is important.

I do hope that on my next visit it's regained some of the buzz it's lost since 2007. I feel the RLD of Amsterdam is a shadow of its former self, a dying relic of yesteryear, smothered by politics.

[USbongLord]

They are killing it off slowly

[Cudi_420]

They are killing it off slowly

Yep, seems that way. I suppose the only things that will survive will be the cafes and bars. Maybe it's for the better? I don't know. But by midnight it was pretty dead.

[Not_the_monk]

This is the effect of the 1012 Project

This document outlines the main concepts and actions, makes interesting reading - http://www.iamsterdam.com/~/media/0DC87 ... 1B02B7.pdf

It includes a 40% reduction in the number of red light windows, the closure of 26 coffeeshops and the discouragement of various other types of "low quality" establishments such as minimarts etc which are apparently a conduit for criminal activity / money.

[Marco]

They are cackling down on human trafficking which I think is great.

[Lafe]

It started around 2006-2006 with the enforcement of a law which states (paraphrasing of course) "if we ask, you must prove your business enterprise was started with legal funds". IOW, if you started a business with ill-gotten gains, the gubment could do something about it.

In this particular case (all this from memory, please correct me where appropriate), it was applied to real estate in the RLD and virtually overnight a large number of windows, particularly on the main canals (OZ Voor and Achter for sure), were suddenly staffed by art and dummies.

Fast forward a few years:

The iconic SEX SHOP sign at the "tourist entrance" to the RLD is gone, that being across Damrak where the Grasshopper lies and that street intersects Warmoestraat. It's gone. Turn to your left and look north on Warmoestraat - first the amazing Coffeeshop 36 sign is forced down, then the shop closes a year or two later.

There's plenty more, of course.

[notsofasteddie]

They are killing it off slowly

It's gradually being replaced with escort services like this one:

http://www.specialescorts.nl

[Rob_OG]

There is very little of the old RLD left. For a view of the future, look at the little road at the side of Amnesia.

[Smirks]

RLD shrinking is not such a bad thing IMO, definitely not something that should be lamented.

[Tranquilised]

But it's unique and has worked effectively for centuries, why is it suddenly a problem?

They want to make 'Dam as dull as Belgium.

[Lafe]

There is very little of the old RLD left. For a view of the future, look at the little road at the side of Amnesia.

Bergstraat? I "walked" the street in Google maps, didn't see much.

What do you mean?

cheers

[Slip & Sal]

RLD shrinking is not such a bad thing IMO, definitely not something that should be lamented.

Are you saying that an Iconic part of Amsterdam, that drew thousands of visitors to it, should not be grieved?

The outside world gives great credit to the Dutch for the liberal views and the the adult like way they handle problems. It seems like a very backward step in a world that is moving in the opposite direction.

[matty223]

is the VIKING back in town ,, keep him away from the blue pills lol

[Balou]

There is very little of the old RLD left. For a view of the future, look at the little road at the side of Amnesia.

Bergstraat? I "walked" the street in Google maps, didn't see much.

I think that was the point.

[Marco]

RLD shrinking is not such a bad thing IMO, definitely not something that should be lamented.

Are you saying that an Iconic part of Amsterdam, that drew thousands of visitors to it, should not be grieved?

The outside world gives great credit to the Dutch for the liberal views and the the adult like way they handle problems. It seems like a very backward step in a world that is moving in the opposite direction.

Like most things the outside works thinks about NL, it's mostly BS. The RLD was full of thugs, pimps and girls enslaved. I am not suggesting going underground will make matters better.

Personally, I can't walk through the place without feeling heartbroken.