Introduction
Amsterdam Zuidoost is one of the 15 boroughs (stadsdelen) of de city of Amsterdam, generally known als the Bijlmermeer.
The Bijlmermeer has approximately 86.000 inhabitants and consists of some 38.000 houses. Over 130 nationalities create a multicultural atmosphere. 30% of the inhabitants is of Dutch origin, 30% of Surinam origin, 23% of African origin, 6% of Dutch Antillian origin and 2% of Maroccan origin. The Bijlmermeer is therefore the very picture of the multicultural society.
History
The Bijlmermeer was envisioned as a town of the future, build in accordance with the principles of the Swiss architect Le Corbusier. In total, 18.000 houses would be built, 13.000 of which consisted of flats. Architect of the Bijlmermeer is Siegried Nassuth.
Construction of the Bijlmermeer began in 1963. The first flat, named Hoogoord, was delivered in 1968. In 1975 the last of the 13.000 flats was delivered.
In 1992 the Bijlmermeer was struck by disaster as an Israeli El Al airplane crashed into the flats Groeneveen en Kruitberg, in the very hart of the Bijlmermeer. In The Netherlands this disaster is known as the Bijlmerramp. 43 people were killed, including the three Israeli pilots. A memorial is erected at the crash site.
External links
www.zuidoost.amsterdam.nl
(The official website of the Borough of Amsterdam Zuidoost)
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