The Indische Buurt - ( The Indian ward )

The Indische Buurt is a district in the East of the municipality of Amsterdam, which mainly dates from the early 20th century. The district is bearing the name, because the streets have been named after islands and other geographical terms of the former colony Dutch Indionesia. The first streets received their names in 1902.

In the Indische Buurt about 25,000 inhabitants are living. In the West the ward is limited by the rail road track Amsterdam - Hilversum (with the Muiderpoortstation), in the East near the Flevopark, in the North by the Zeeburgerdijk and in the South side by the ring speedway of the Watergraafsmeer.

The Indionesian ward is subdivided in two parts: The Indische Buurt West and the Indische Buurt East. The Indische Buurt is the oldest part of the current district Zeeburg and captures a variety of ethnic groups.

The impulse to build the Indische Buurt was given in the early 20th century, under the influence of the strong population increase which Amsterdam experienced. The construction of the district was well in pace; with the accomplishment of the North sea channel in 1876 and the Merwede channel in 1892.

In the 80’s and 90’s large parts of the Indische Buurt were renovated. In the Indische Buurt most former social rental houses have been converted into houses for sale.

The construction and opening of the new hostel StayOkay has given the district a new attraction, comprising a cinema, theatre, bar, restaurant and meet - and conference rooms of the IIRE situated at the Timorplein. By the end of 2008 the Java street will be added, which is arranged as a Mediterranean shopping boulevard. For 2010 the Java square is planned to be finished including a large library, a restaurant and promenade with terraces.

The tram lines 3, 7 and 14 have their terminal point at the Indische Buurt. Tram line 7 and 14 stop next to the Flevopark. Tram line 3 stops next to the Muiderpoortstation. The bus lines 15, 22, 37, 40 and 41 run through the district as well.