1. Underground Waterways: Amsterdam is famous for its canals, but many people are unaware that the city has an extensive network of underground waterways. These hidden canals are often used for drainage and water management, showcasing the city's innovative engineering solutions to combat flooding. 2. Bicycle Culture: While many tourists know that Amsterdam is a bike-friendly city, few realize that there are more bicycles than residents, with estimates suggesting around 1.3 million bikes in the city. Amsterdam's cycling infrastructure is so advanced that it includes dedicated bike bridges and traffic lights specifically for cyclists. 3. The Secret Garden: Tucked away in the heart of the city is the Begijnhof, a secluded courtyard that dates back to the 14th century. This serene garden was once home to a community of Beguines, religious women who lived independently. Today, it remains a peaceful oasis, featuring historic buildings and a fascinating chapel, providing a quiet escape from the bustling city life.
Amsterdam's housing market remains challenging, especially for first-time buyers and young families. The city continues to experience price increases due to a persistent housing shortage and declining mortgage rates. As of 2024, the average selling price per square meter in Amsterdam stands at €8,222, with apartments averaging €583,000. The city has approximately 480,000 housing units. The ownership structure is divided between 31.6% owner-occupied and 68.4% rental housing. Social housing plays a significant role, with housing corporations owning about 40% of the total stock (192,000 dwellings). The social housing sector, including both corporation-owned and privately-owned units, accounts for 46.8% of the total housing stock. Recent data shows the median price to rent in Amsterdam is around €23.50 per square meter per month, while the median price to buy is approximately €7,963 per square meter. Cooperative housing, though not as prevalent as social housing, is being actively promoted by the city council. They have created a €50 million loan fund to support housing cooperatives and are allocating land plots for 15 to 20 cooperative projects. The city estimates that 7,000 cooperative housing dwellings could be developed by 2030. Public and social housing continue to play a crucial role in Amsterdam's housing market, helping to maintain affordability in an increasingly expensive city.
The Amsterdam city administration is actively addressing housing challenges through ambitious targets and innovative programs. The municipality pledged to build 52,500 homes by the end of 2025, with a focus on increasing social and affordable housing. The Amsterdam Approach to Public Housing (AAV) initiative aims to achieve this goal through collaboration between the city government, housing corporations, and citizens. Amsterdam has committed to building a circular economy, aiming to halve the use of new raw materials by 2030 and be fully circular by 2050. This policy, based on "doughnut economics," considers the impact of construction on both humanity and the planet. The city's Woonagenda 2025 policy sets targets for new housing construction: 40% social rent, 40% mid-segment rent and sales, and 20% market-rate rent and sales. The administration is also working to maintain a level of 35% social housing in the overall housing stock across Amsterdam's 22 areas. To support cooperative housing projects, Amsterdam City Hall introduced a plan in 2020 to make these cooperatives constitute 10% of all new housing stock. This has enabled innovative projects like "De Torteltuin," which combines affordable living with sustainability and community engagement. The city is also implementing measures to reduce lead times for housing projects, streamline building regulations, and provide financial support to municipalities for housing development.