Why Amsterdam for a conference on the ideal City?

Amsterdam is known as the “Venice of the North.” Progressives have called Amsterdam an ideal city when measured by the standard of social justice.   Holland has what many call a “radical,” “progressive,” “unique” and for some a “sinful” approach to housing, drug laws, transportation, prostitution, crime, brown fields, and urban design. The Netherlands has turned our American urban policy and planning programs upside down and found innovative ways to solve social problems.  Many American visitors who come to Holland come away shocked, amazed, impressed and changed forever.   Holland is controversial.  Indeed, Amsterdam is a laboratory of innovation that provides a national model for the rest of the world.  It’s a place where we can honor their successes and learn from their errors in urban policy and planning.  Without a doubt, Holland is also the home of world class architecture that is envied around the world.

Many of the social, economic, and environmental problems facing Amsterdam are considerably less than cities in the United States and in many cases Western Europe. Amsterdam, at this moment in history, might be the world's greatest city because of its ability to ensure basic necessities, freedom and creativity. Tolerance of drugs, sexual freedom, along with integration of different races helps reduce many of the "social problems" faced by most cities. We have compared, on a per capita basis, differences between Amsterdam/Holland and the United States. Data show that Amsterdam has lower crime, murder, rape, drug usage (cocaine, marijuana), teenage pregnancy, diabetes, obesity, suicide, abortion rates, infant mortality, dependence on fossil fuels, homelessness, and racial segregation is considerably less. People live longer because of Amsterdam's walk-ability and bike usage along with access to parks. Indeed, the Netherlands leads both Western European and the United States in proportion of trips made walking and bicycling in North America—significantly reducing car dependency. Ghettos are nearly non-existent compared to the segregation in the 1940's/1950's. Quality housing is supplied to everyone that gives pride of place compared to the stark, cold and institutional "projects" provided by the U.S. federal government. Amsterdam leads Western Europe with 35% in social housing compared to runner up United Kingdom which has significantly less. The modernism of the '60s where the poor were warehoused is nearly all gone. People living in Amsterdam seem more tolerant, secure, happier, and healthier compared to citizens in the United States. Great cities provide for everyone, work to enhance the lives of everyone and work to ensure an unrivaled level of freedom. Social and environmental justice are tied together. Amsterdam by no means perfect but in comparison to many other democratic industrial cities is far better place for citizens of all races, religions and incomes. We demonstrate that social and environmental justice are tied together. The conference is about places, policies, programs that we can point to from around the world not necessarily Amsterdam.

“Amsterdam is the great liberal experiment in Europe. No part of the city announces that liberalism as boldly as the red light district, where in the Oudekerkrsplein—there coexists the Old Church (possibly the oldest building in Amsterdam, believed to be consecrated by the Bishop of Utrecht in 1306), all the prostitutes in their doorways and windows, and a kindergarten. What other city in the world would believe in the hopeful coexistence of religion, prostitution and early childhood education?…But it is both brave and original of the Dutch to celebrate human differences.” John Irving November 2005 

Note: We have sponsored conferences in Honolulu, Houston, Havana, Louisville, and Amsterdam in 2008!

“To Travel is to live!" Hans Christian Andersen

 “Exploration encourages creativity, serendipity, invention… Go without purpose. Go for the going. Get out now. Not just outside but beyond the trap of the programmed electronic age so gently closing around so many people at the end of the century.  Escape from the trap of the electronic medium and see it for yourself with your eyes.” John Stilgoe, Harvard

“Hearing something 100 times is still never as good as seeing it once.” – Confucius

 “Experiential learning allows us to see up close; touch, smell and observe it provides the foundation for experiencing awe, disgust, exhilaration, and inspiration" JG