The faltering heart of the city

In conversation with Amsterdam residents about 'their' inner city

Essay by Fenne M. Pinkster and Jan Willem Duyvendak: The stories of residents express the expectation (or hope) that the inner city plays a connecting role as the "heart of the city," but at the same time this function falters. Residents' concerns are about more than tourism. They experience various processes that, while not unique to the inner city, are magnified there, reinforcing each other and thus undermining the significance of the inner city for Amsterdam residents. The disappearance of local anchor points, increased busyness and volatility of social life, and the hardening of manners make the inner city less cohesive and recognizable, leading residents to stay away or detour by bike more often. At the same time, residents cherish the center for its special architecture and rich history and as the heart of the city. This combination of engagement and alienation calls for a stronger vision for the downtown by the city council on what to preserve and how to achieve it.