Amsterdam - NDSM

Like a lot of European port cities, Amsterdam's waterfronts are undergoing urban renewal with new funky architecture. During the transition these areas can become a haven for creativity.

We parked our van at a motorhome only parking ground near NDSM pier an area that is undergoing redevelopment. NDSM was the Dutch national ship builder and is no longer on the site. As you can imagine the area is vast. Former workshops are now artist studios and creative industries offices. The head office of Greenpeace is located here.

The buildings and abandoned shipping containers have become canvases for street art. We spoke to a graffiti artist about his work, he does not make a sketch or draft, the original comes out of his imagination straight onto the wall. 

 

The area also has a former cruise ship moored and operating as a “botel”. 

It also has a former pirate radio ship which is now a restaurant and a retired naval submarine as wildlife habitat. 

 There are also trams and cranes converted into dwellings.

The area has a funky scene of water front bars, where you can buy alcohol and other substances. The carparks nearby are the hang out of shady characters selling inflated black balloons. Later we learned the balloons are filled with nitrous-oxide that is then inhaled giving a feeling of euphoria. It also starves the brain of oxygen and is very dangerous.   

Some would call it vandalism or urban decay but we loved the street art. We can do without the drug scene.