Envisioning the future
Talking a stroll along
the Southern IJ bank in Amsterdam is more than just a
delightful walk along the water; it is also a veritable journey
of architectural discovery. Only a handful of warehouses in
between the modern buildings evoke memories of the harbours
from 50 years ago. Of course, the irreversible transformation
from old harbour to contemporary urban area raises the
inevitable questions amongst visitors and residents alike.
After all, it’s hard to see the architect’s vision
in the depths of a building excavation site, let alone any
tangible evidence of the master plan.
The banks of the IJ were brought to life using a variety of campaigns and means. Interested parties board the IJ flotilla to embark on a thrilling boat ride into an unknown area, giving everyone a chance to see from the water how the Southern IJ bank is being developed into a dynamic part of the city. They read IJ-peil (‘IJ-level’), an inspiring news magazine with exquisite photography that provides information about the developments taking place along the IJ. Although not realized, a fantastic element is the IJ-Still project, with intriguing scenes from a documentary never made, and filmed on the banks of the IJ. The idea was to post the stills on billboards along the IJ, where a new Amsterdam reality is taking shape.
See also: Amsterdam Index, Oostelijk Havengebied, The Quintessential City
