Zeeburg

Zeeburg is one of the boroughs of Amsterdam, and has a population of roughly 45.000; It is the largest growing of the boroughs on account of the construction of new islands to the east, known as IJburg, upon which large quantities of new housing are being constructed.

Zeeburg is divided into four neighbourhoods; the Indische Neighbourhood, the Eastern Harbor area, IJburg, and Zeeburg Island.

The Indische Neighbourhood is so named for the Dutch Indies (modern day Indonesia), and the streets are named after colonies and islands there. The neighbourhood is a highly multicultural one, with most of the population being immigrants; An estimated 100 languages are spoken here.

The Eastern Harbor area was constructed at the end of the 19th century to accomodate increasing trade with the Dutch Indies. The area was built up with warehouses (some of which still remain today, serving as classic examples of late 19th century industrial architecture) and rail connections to accomodate the industrial needs of the age. We also find interesting buildings such as the Lloyd Hotel in this area. After WW2, the area quickly starts to decay, as the independence of Indonesia results in an almost complete stop of eastern trade. By the 1980's, the last of the industrial giants have left the area, and it becomes the exclusive domain of artists and squatters; who were instrumental in saving many of the architectural highlights of old industrialism; Despite this, social residential development did take place in some areas of the neighbourhood, which are widely seen as bleak and unsuccesful. Today, the area has been transformed in part into an area similar to the London Eastern Docklands, though with decidedly less success; Though there are some examples of high living in the former warehouses, and nightclubs that have developed, these are located in a very narrow band, with the rest of the neighbourhood remaining as bleak and desolate as ever.

IJburg consists of 6 artificial islands built in the IJ lake, with an additional 4 planned to be built in the near future. When it is fully completed, it will contain enough housing for 45.000 residents, and additionally provide numerous services aswell as 12.000 jobs.

Zeeburg Island is a triangular shaped island that is home to a largescale Sewage treatment plant.