After the war, Amsterdam was crowded. Houses were old, small, cramped and people were living right on top of each other. So Amsterdam needed new houses, lots of them. The new district, Amsterdam South East, had to harbour many of the citizens of Amsterdam. A plan was made to create 50.000 new homes. Building started in 1966. Originally, this district was filled with high-rise buildings, separated by large spaces of green, but the sense of utopia never realised itself. During this tour you will see how this neighbourhood evolved into the wonderful and multi cultural district it is today.

Of course, Amsterdam South East, specifically the Bijlmer, is build on reclaimed land, or, as we say, a polder, and it is surrounded by polders as well.  And these polders in turn are surrounded by dikes. The Bijlmer itself is situated where, in the old days, the Bijlmer Lake was located, an area unsuitable for agriculture. The land surrounding the lake has been used for agriculture for centuries, but nowadays much of this land is urbanised. Only few farms remained.

Along the route we will pass the old windmills that kept our feet dry in the past, and we might have a coffee in one of these farms, depending on your interests.

So please contact me if you are interested in taking this beautiful bike tour with me!