Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The site is situated close to the innercity area, it's an old abandoned pier sticking out into the IJ channel. This used to be part of the western city harbor. It's surrounded by old and new residential buildings and construction sites. The land is fenced off on the landside but accessible as the gate isn't locked. The surface consists mainly of brick overgrown with grass, there are some trees and further to the waterside the surface changes to a sandbeach that flows into the water, the last and decayed part of the pier, showing poles sticking out of the water.
Land nick names, Neologisms and slang terms
The land is usually referred to the as 'Het Stenen Hoofd', The Stone Head.
Location
Address
Westerdoksdijk, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Land Topography
Size of the Land in sqm (approx.)
5680
Surfaces
- Trees
- Grass
- - Sand
- - water
- - poles
- brick patches with grass growing though
Features
- Endangered species of butterflies
- Metal sheds
- Fire pits
Land status and definition
Basic
- Vacant
Legal Status
- In Public Ownership
Current Land Owner
city government
<p>The wasteland has been in governance of a foundation set up by local inhabitants and entrepeneurs lobbying to keep the area free of (big) buildings, their goal is to develop plans for buildings and other facilities that emphasize the naval aspect of the site and to draw up plans of exploitation for cultural and leisure activities</p>
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Known intended future use by the land owner(s)
The site will be handed back to the city government in the future who says it intends to keep it as a public space, but it's as yet unknown in what way.
Historical (basic)
The pier was built in 1905 and was used for seaport transhipment till the 1960's. After this the buildings were broken down and many different developmentplans were made for the area, but were never realized.
Weblinks
Land Access
Accessibility
- Accessible
The area has fences on the landside and a gate, which isn't locked.
Borders
The site is bordered by water and a public road
Land Users
Land is occupied by
- General public
- dogwalkers
- fishermen
- residents
Activities
The pier is mainly used for walking dogs and sitting by the water enjoying the view. Somebody also put up a small vegetable patch on the pier.
There used to be a booth on the wasteland, to be used for indoor activities and as a temporary bar, but this has been removed. The only recurrent thing on the site has been an free open air cinema festival, which takes place in different areas around the IJ channel in the summer for a few days.
