In our previous article we already discussed the possibility of checking out the girls working as prostitute through web-cams in De Wallen. Unfortunately we discovered that there are no public web-cams available for viewing but, we did discover a website called CamsterDam which enables you to experience the Red Light District from your home.
We can however (as promised) talk a bit more about this famous area in Amsterdam. The red light district in Amsterdam is perhaps one of the oldest places in the world where prostitution was and still is legalized by the Dutch government.
History of The Red Light District
Old Fashioned Prostitution in Amsterdam's Red Light District |
The fall of De Wallen
Since 2010 the Dutch government noticed that a lot of criminal activities were taking place in and around the red light district. Therefor "Project 1012" was set up, which is called after the postal code of the area. The intention of Project 1012 is to close down many windows, thinking this will help girls forced in prostitution. Besides closing down windows, also shops with criminal related activities were and still are being closed down to regain some control over the area. Many foreign sources talk about the fact that the red light district will disappear completely, but this is not true. As said, the intention of Project 1012 is regaining some control, not to forbid prostitution entirely.
Future of Amsterdam's Red Light District
As we said, it's not the intention of the Dutch government to forbid prostitution or completely close down the red light area in the heart of the center. They realize very well what a great loss this will be regarding tourism in Holland. Several resources show us that roughly 65% of all tourists visiting Amsterdam for recreational purposes, want to visit the red light district. This even includes the females who were questioned, they are burning to take a peek at their gender providing their bodies to the public, imagine how the males think about it. Taking those facts, makes it very obvious that a money-hungry government like the Dutch is, will never - ever close down the red light district.