Amsterdam-Noord is a workers’ housing area in transition. It consists of a mix of garden cities from the 1920s and post-war residential developments. After decades of neglect, a process of gentrification is currently underway – and arouses considerable controversy.

In Van de Pekbuurt, housing corporation Ymere recently realized a prize-winning, large-scale renovation scheme. Adjacent neighbourhood Bloemenbuurt is also in transformation: Built in the early 1930s, it consisted of social rental apartments, which have partly been merged into larger free-sector rental houses. A short ride with the new metro leads to Plan van Gool, a housing area from the 1960s, which has also recently undergone a renovation. The aim was to bring the housing blocks up to standard — regarding sustainability as well as safety.