Amsterdam Identifies New Location for Red Light District

As part of an ongoing effort to make the city more livable for locals, officials in Amsterdam have unveiled a new proposed location for its famed red light district.

The new location will be Europa Boulevard, which is in the Dutch capital’s south district, according to a report in TimeOut.

The city "finds the Europa Boulevard in the South district the most suitable location for the new Erotic Centre," Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said, according to NBC. Halsema has been eyeing a makeover for the historic sex district since taking office in 2018.

The south district sits on the edge of Amsterdam's main business district and was one of three areas being considered for the new Erotic Center, which will have 100 rooms for sex workers.

The Erotic Center will include space for LGBTQ+ individuals and host cultural events linked to eroticism. That might include such things as feminist lectures and tantric yoga classes. There will also be sex shops, theaters, bars and restaurants on the ground floor.

Of the current red light district’s 249 licensed prostitution windows, about 100 will move to the new location.

Amsterdam’s city council will now need to review the proposed location for the new red light district. That will take place early next year.

And while city officials are moving forward with the new plan, locals are not altogether happy with the proposal.  A petition was launched against the new Erotic Center over the summer. Sex workers have also voiced objections and concerns, particularly with regard to displacement and safety.

If the location for the Erotic Center is ultimately approved, construction will take years. It's not expected to open until 2031.

Amsterdam officials also announced earlier this week that they are increasing flight capacity at the city's busy Schiphol Airport. The news comes after efforts to address the airport's noise pollution failed.

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