"Red-Light District Disappears, Erotic Center to Open" Amsterdam Accelerates Redevelopment

The red-light district in Amsterdam showing a quiet scene last year when the Dutch government ordered the closure of prostitution and entertainment establishments to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] Amsterdam, Netherlands, announced that instead of eliminating the city's red-light district, it will build an 'Erotic Center' in the suburbs.

On the 6th (local time), the British daily The Guardian reported that Amsterdam authorities submitted a plan regarding urban environment improvement projects to the city council. According to this plan, Amsterdam aims to reorganize the red-light district within the city by constructing an 'Erotic Center' in the suburban area.

The plan also included detailed construction plans for the Erotic Center. The Erotic Center is known to be a five-story building with about 100 rooms, including ancillary facilities such as two bars and one strip club. Currently, Amsterdam authorities have shortlisted nine candidate sites for the Erotic Center and are in the process of selecting a project operator.

Amsterdam stated that this plan was made to improve the working conditions of sex workers. Femke Halsema, Amsterdam's first female mayor, has pledged to protect sex workers by closing windows used for solicitation and relocating sex work establishments to the suburbs. However, Mayor Halsema maintains the position that she does not plan to ban prostitution itself, which is legal in the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, sex workers are reportedly opposing the construction of the Erotic Center. The nonprofit foundation 'Sex Work Information Center' stated, "Many sex workers do not want to enter the Erotic Center. Sex workers are being held responsible for acts they did not commit."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.