Stadsdeel Nieuw-West
Amsterdam
Stadsdeel Nieuw-West is a spacious and green area in the west of Amsterdam, known for its post-war neighbourhoods and modernist architecture. The district includes neighbourhoods such as Slotervaart, Osdorp and Geuzenveld-Slotermeer. Nieuw-West is diverse and multicultural, with many open spaces, parks such as Sloterpark, and water such as the Sloterplas. The area has undergone strong development in recent years, with new construction projects, neighbourhood restructuring and a growing range of facilities. As a result, it is increasingly popular with both young families and students.
Population 164.789 (2024)
Stadsdeel Nieuw-West consists of 5 areas:
- De Aker, Sloten, Nieuw-Sloten
- Geuzenveld, Slotermeer
- Osdorp
- Sloterdijk Nieuw-West
- Slotervaart
Openresearch.amsterdam
> Onderzoek 2024 Nieuw-West
Gemeente Amsterdam
> Subsidies stadsdeel Nieuw-West
Nieuw-West: Where Amsterdam's Post-War Dreams Meet Modern Diversity
A Vision Born from Necessity
Picture Amsterdam in the 1940s. The war has ended. The city needs homes—thousands of them.
Beyond the historic canal belt, empty polders stretch westward. This is where architect Cornelis van Eesteren saw opportunity. He envisioned something revolutionary: neighborhoods where every family could enjoy light, air, and space.
Between 1948 and the 1960s, his vision became reality. The Western Garden Cities rose from the ground. Today, we know them as Nieuw-West.
The Transformation of a Landscape
Before modern times, this area told a different story. The ancient village of Sloten stood here since 1063. That makes it older than Amsterdam itself.
Farmers worked boggy polders for centuries. Windmills kept the land dry. Then came the 20th century’s housing crisis.
Amsterdam annexed Sloten in 1921. The stage was set for massive change.
The General Extension Plan
In 1935, van Eesteren and his team created the General Extension Plan (AUP). This wasn’t just urban planning—it was social engineering through architecture.
The plan separated functions clearly. Living, working, recreation, and traffic each had their place. This was the “functional city” concept.
Green spaces weren’t afterthoughts. They flowed between buildings like water. Gardens, parks, and courtyards connected seamlessly.
Construction began in earnest after World War II. First came Slotermeer in 1951. Then Geuzenveld in 1953. Slotervaart followed in 1954. Osdorp rose in 1957.
By the 1960s, the Western Garden Cities housed thousands of families.
The Heart of Nieuw-West
At the center lies the Sloterplas. This isn’t a natural lake. Between 1948 and 1956, workers excavated the old Sloterdijkermeerpolder.
Why dig a lake? The answer reveals Dutch ingenuity. The excavated sand raised surrounding areas for construction. The depression became a 30-meter-deep recreational lake.
Sloterpark surrounds the water. Joggers circle the 3.6-mile loop. Sailors navigate the blue expanse. Families swim at Sloterstrand beach.
The Sloterplas became more than recreation. It embodied van Eesteren’s vision: nature integrated with urban living.
Architecture That Tells Stories
Walk through Nieuw-West today. The architecture speaks volumes about post-war ideals.
Renowned architects left their mark here. Kloos, Dudok, Staal, and Merkelbach all designed buildings. Each brought modernist principles to life.
The Opstandingskerk stands out immediately. Locals call it “De Kolenkit”—the coal scuttle. Its 48-meter bell tower dominates the skyline. Built in 1956, it represents the area’s spiritual dimension.
Apartment blocks follow patterns: low-rise, medium-rise, and high-rise rotating across neighborhoods. This created rhythm and variation. Or so the planners hoped.
The reality proved more complex. Some found the repetition monotonous. Dutch author Gerard Reve called his Osdorp home a “concrete suicide address.” He moved away quickly.
A Borough Takes Shape
In 2010, Amsterdam restructured its districts. Former boroughs Osdorp, Geuzenveld-Slotermeer, and Slotervaart merged. Nieuw-West was officially born.
The new borough covers neighborhoods including Slotermeer, Slotervaart, Westlandgracht, Overtoomse Veld, Osdorp, and Geuzenveld. Later additions include Nieuw Sloten, De Aker, and Oostoever.
Today, Nieuw-West spans vast green expanses. It’s Amsterdam’s largest and greenest district.
The People of Nieuw-West
Numbers tell part of the story. Nieuw-West has approximately 150,000 residents. That’s comparable to cities like Haarlem or Arnhem.
But demographics reveal something deeper. Only about one-third of residents (34.3%) have Dutch heritage. More than half (52%) have non-Western backgrounds.
The largest groups? People with Moroccan heritage (31,745 residents) and Turkish heritage (19,525 residents) form significant communities.
This diversity didn’t happen overnight. The 1960s brought guest workers from Turkey and Morocco. They came for industrial and construction jobs.
Family reunification policies in the 1970s and 1980s accelerated immigration. Meanwhile, Surinamese migrants arrived after their country’s 1975 independence.
Nearly half of all Amsterdam residents with Turkish heritage live in Nieuw-West (45.3%). For Moroccan-Dutch residents, the figure reaches 41.9%.
Challenges and Realities
Nieuw-West faces genuine struggles. About 20% of households live on minimum income. That’s higher than Amsterdam’s 17% average.
Welfare dependency stands at 9.7%. The city average is 8.1%. These numbers reflect structural challenges.
Unemployment remains elevated. Crime rates, though improving, still concern residents. Social cohesion measures lower than other Amsterdam districts.
Yet these statistics don’t define Nieuw-West. They represent challenges to overcome, not permanent conditions.
Urban Renewal: The Great Renovation
Around 2000, Amsterdam launched massive renewal programs. The “Richting Parkstad 2015” plan demolished thousands of homes. New developments replaced them.
Over 25,000 new homes were added since 2000. The goal? Mixed-income housing to reduce segregation and improve livability.
This represents one of the Netherlands’ largest urban renewal operations. The original garden city principles partially gave way to denser development.
Some neighborhoods received “disadvantaged” status from the national government. This brought funding and programs for improvement.
Recent initiatives like the Nationaal Programma Leefbaarheid en Veiligheid continue supporting Nieuw-West development.
Cultural Treasures Hidden in Plain Sight
Don’t let Nieuw-West’s residential reputation fool you. The district buzzes with cultural energy.
Van Eesteren Museum
This unique museum honors its namesake architect. The collection spreads between indoor pavilions and open-air exhibits.
Walk through Tuinstad Slotermeer itself. The neighborhood becomes the exhibit. Museum houses showcase 1950s design and architecture.
The Van Eesteren Pavilion opened in 2017 on the Sloterplas’s north bank. It’s the museum’s beating heart.
Street Art Museum Amsterdam (SAMA)
Here’s something truly special. SAMA has no traditional walls. It’s an eco-museum spread across Nieuw-West’s urban landscape.
Over 300 artworks dot the district. Internationally acclaimed artists like El Pez, Bastardilla, Stinkfish, and Orticanoodles contributed. Local talents like TeamBlazing and Bunny Brigade also left their mark.
Founded in 2012, SAMA uses street art for community dialogue. Daily walking tours reveal stories behind each piece. Residents work as guides.
The collection is freely accessible. Anyone can experience world-class street art simply by walking the neighborhood.
Meervaart Theatre
This modern venue anchors Nieuw-West’s performing arts scene. Around 280 cultural performances happen here annually.
International touring companies share the stage with homegrown multicultural acts. A children’s talent development program nurtures young performers.
The Meervaart serves as both cultural platform and social space. It’s where the community gathers.
RADION: Where Creativity Experiments
A former medical office building now hosts radical creativity. RADION’s eclectic program includes everything from techno nights to photo exhibitions.
Sword-fighting workshops meet art fairs. Electronic music festivals pulse through repurposed spaces. This multidisciplinary haven embodies Nieuw-West’s experimental spirit.
Other Cultural Gems
Lola Luid transformed a former school into a cultural incubator. Each classroom served different purposes: performance stages, artist workshops, shops, and hair salons.
BRET combines urban vineyard, beer bar, and restaurant. Built from red shipping containers, it becomes an intimate nightclub for Amsterdam Dance Event.
ZID Theatre brings the community together through performing arts. Located between Bos en Lommer and Nieuw West, it focuses on multicultural programming.
Green Spaces That Breathe
Nieuw-West lives up to its “green district” reputation. Beyond Sloterplas and Sloterpark, other parks offer respite.
Rembrandtpark hosts festivals throughout the year. West TAPT Beer Festival, Fête du Champagne, and Terrassenfestival bring culinary delights.
Lange Bretten Nature Reserve provides wild spaces within the city. Buzzards and falcons soar overhead. Wildlife thrives here.
De Nieuwe Meer offers waterside walking and cycling routes. The connection to nature runs deep.
Festivals That Unite
Summer transforms Nieuw-West. Sloterstrand hosts the West Beach Film Festival. Movies play under stars.
Rembrandtpark’s festival calendar fills quickly. Food, music, and community celebrations define summer evenings.
These events reflect the district’s diversity. Cultures mix. Traditions share space. New customs emerge.
The Village That Time Preserved
Within Nieuw-West sits ancient Sloten. Step into this historic village. Time seems to pause.
The Molen van Sloten—a fully functioning polder mill—educates visitors about Dutch water management. Rembrandt, son of a miller, knew similar surroundings.
Next door, Brouwerij de 7 Deugden serves craft beers. IJshoeve Sloten offers artisanal ice cream. History meets modernity here.
Connection to Greater Amsterdam
Nieuw-West isn’t isolated. Excellent public transport links it to the city center.
Metro lines run frequently. Tram routes connect neighborhoods. Cycling infrastructure makes biking safe and practical.
The district offers affordable housing compared to central Amsterdam. This attracts young families and students.
Looking Forward
Nieuw-West stands at a crossroads. Its post-war architecture ages. Demographics continue evolving. Economic challenges persist.
Yet opportunity abounds. Urban renewal continues thoughtfully. Cultural initiatives multiply. Community organizations strengthen.
The district’s diversity could become its greatest asset. Multiple languages echo through streets. Restaurants serve cuisines from dozens of countries. Cultural celebrations reflect global traditions.
Green spaces provide quality of life rare in dense cities. The Sloterplas remains a jewel. Parks connect neighborhoods.
New construction balances preservation. Some argue for protecting more post-war architecture. Others push for modernization. This tension drives dialogue.
Artists increasingly discover Nieuw-West. Affordable studio space attracts creative professionals. Street art culture thrives. Underground venues experiment with new forms.
Educational institutions invest in the area. Community programs target youth development. Employment initiatives address structural challenges.
The Van Eesteren Museum preserves architectural history while inspiring future planning. SAMA shows how art builds community. The Meervaart demonstrates culture’s social power.
Climate adaptation receives attention. Green infrastructure expands. Sustainable building practices guide new construction.
Nieuw-West’s future depends on inclusive development. Residents must shape decisions affecting their neighborhoods. Authentic participation matters more than top-down planning.
The district that Cornelis van Eesteren designed for light, air, and space now needs light, air, and space in different ways. Social breathing room. Economic opportunity. Cultural expression. Political voice.
Perhaps Nieuw-West will become a model. Not for functional separation, but for functional integration. Not for architectural uniformity, but for harmonious diversity.
The Western Garden Cities planted seeds decades ago. Today, Nieuw-West gardens yield unexpected varieties. Tomorrow promises an even richer harvest.
Area assignments 2023-2026 stadsdeel Nieuw-West
The area assignments are the social issues in Nieuw-West that we will be working on in the coming years. For each area assignment, objectives have been made for the coming 4 years.
> amsterdam.nl/stadsdelen/nieuw-west/gebiedsopgaven