The North has been an industrial area from the end of the 19th century. Shell opened up their laboratory back in 1914, at a certain point using up a space of 27 hectares! The north has transformed from being the heart of the fossil industry into a breeding ground for creative, green and sustainable initiatives.
This makes Amsterdam North a place where residents, companies, knowledge institutions and the municipality of Amsterdam experiment with sustainable and circular area development.
The North has been an industrial area from the end of the 19th century. Shell opened up their laboratory back in 1914, at a certain point using up a space of 27 hectares!
After the glorious era of Dutch shipbuilding ended, a group of city nomads, craftsmen, and artists converted the former shipyard into a breeding ground for creative talent.
You will visit one of the most pioneering places of Amsterdam with the ambition to turn this old industrial zone into a global example of creative urban development.
We visit and give back to the Tolhuistuin: a cultural freespace and second hand shop, De Lokatie: a space where things (and people with social difficulties) find a new purpose and Cafe de Ceuvel: an innovative and creative hub.
By asking communities how our tours can enrich and give back to the places we travel to, we create tours that help preserve the beauty and culture of Amsterdam.
CAFE DE CEUVEL
One of the most sustainable and unique urban developments in Europe. A cafe, workplace for creative and social enterprises on a former shipyard. A group of architects turned it into a regenerative urban oasis.
DE LOKATIE
Our favorite second hand shop, a space where things (and people with social difficulties) find a new purpose.
TOLHUISTUIN
The green heart of the city, a thriving change to an inclusive and fossil fuel free future. Through the power of art and culture they face challenges and find possibilities around climate change
“Researching the history of the North and Shell has been quite challenging. It opened a book of my own family history, as my grandfather used to work here. Old articles and conversations with ex shell employees that shared stories about the past.
The green and circular initiatives of the tour are places I love to hang out. Now I can share them with anyone coming to Amsterdam, examples of how we should lead the transition.”
