The Observer, March 23, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 21
Cleveland on Fire: Cleveland can benefit from public investments, ideas from Amsterdam
News flash: Cleveland is not Amsterdam and vice-versa. Any comparison between the two must accept the limiting differences between the two cities – population, culture, tourism, and physical size. However, after having spent a week in Holland, there are certainly characteristics, campaigns, and ideas that Northeast Ohio could learn from the Venice of the north. Amsterdam is a sustainable, pedestrian-oriented, multipurpose city that has benefited from proper planning and the connotation of being a city of free wills.
Approaching the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the plane flew over a wind-turbine farm off the coast of the Netherlands. Some research uncovered that this off-shore wind farm (ten kilometers from shore) has been in use for a couple years and has been supplying clean, renewable energy to the country. Over a dozen structures were spinning to provide an alternative approach toward overcoming costs and dependency on oil. Having just begun the process of studying the creation of a similar wind farm on Lake Erie, Cleveland should seek to understand the logistics, costs, and potential of wind-powered energy.
The greatest urban characteristics of Amsterdam are its pedestrian-friendly streets, engaging storefronts, and multi-modal paths through the city. Every street has wide brick sidewalks, designated bike lanes, and many have a center-lane street car. This incredible mix of transportation options creates a grid that is easily accessible without the use of an automobile, which were for the most part not on the road. The wide spread public investment in transportation clearly showed a link to a sustainable and healthier culture in which options were never farther than a few blocks away.
Typical of many European cities, the public spaces in Amsterdam were varied and well-used. Including the traditional plazas that serve purposes ranging from markets to concerts to pedestrian walkways, these locations were always attractive. Very often, distinct signs, lighting, or banners signified a specific area, and the well-lit, pedestrian-heavy locations were comfortable to be a part of. These plazas, as well as the more traditional American parks, were crowded in a good way by sport participants, pedestrians, tourists, and commuters. Very often, the buildings and uses around the spaces dictated the activity inside the public space – outdoor cafes, museums, business, or retail. This mixed-use is vital in creating a diverse and creative urban atmosphere.
One of the greatest lessons that Cleveland can learn, however, is that conditions are not final. Change can and will occur if the proper resources, people, and planning methods are employed. The first and most glaring example of this was the redevelopment of the Red Light District in Amsterdam. Known internationally for the legalization of prostitution, this area is full of tourists and locals visiting a nearby bar, coffee shop, or walking wide-eyed down the alleys and streets.
Overall, the district was clean, safe, and engaging – even though less than 20 years ago it was a dilapidated haven for illegal drug trafficking and crime rates deterred all visitors. With significant public investment (more than would ever be legally allowed in the United States), the area was transformed into a neighborhood. I am far from advocating the increased use of eminent domain and government controlled development, but what was apparent was that public investment often led to the private market following.
Cleveland and Northeast Ohio could use that type of public investment – funds and resources channeled into sustainable projects to benefit the region. By creating pedestrian-friendly and transit-oriented neighborhoods, the influx of private investment and money into those regions will turn the tide on many of the projects and ideas in Cleveland.
Verespej is a senior Political Science/Pre-Law student involved in the performing arts and is also the Executive Director for the Student Turning Point Society.
