prostitution
Resistance to planned erotic center in Amsterdam
Instead of the red light district, an erotic center is to be built in Amsterdam. But there are protests. photo
©Oliver Berg/dpa
Amsterdam’s red light district is a major attraction in the Dutch capital – millions visit every year. But now an alternative is needed. Not everyone likes that.
Citizens and prostitutes have registered protests against a planned erotic center in a residential area in Amsterdam. The center is to come in place of the famous red light district in the old town. The reason for this is the high burden on the city center from party tourism. But residents fear that the erotic center could attract dealers and party tourists.
Sex workers are also protesting. The proposed new sex complex is less safe than today’s open-air red-light district, they say. The women fear for their safety. The authorities want to outsource prostitution and instead build a high-rise where about 100 prostitutes can work. There will also be restaurants, sex theaters and clubs.
More than 20 million tourists visit the Dutch capital every year. A major attraction is the neighborhood where women openly offer sex in windows. According to the city, the district is in danger of becoming uninhabitable due to the crowds.
Hundreds of residents from the possible locations for the erotic center lodged a complaint. The EU medicines agency EMA also protested. Two of the proposed sites are close to the EMA headquarters. The city wants to make a final decision on the location in the fall.