Groenburgwal, Amsterdam
Groenburgwal, AmsterdamPhotographer: Jussi Puikkonen for Bloomberg
Environment

Europe’s Original Climate-Resilient City Has a Lesson for Us All

On Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary, it continues to be a leader in climate adaptation — showing how a city can thrive in overcoming existential challenges.

On Amsterdam’s northern edge, a brand new island in the vast IJmeer lake is being readied for homebuilding. Called Strandeiland (“Beach Island”), this land will form part of a new archipelago of six islands that will ultimately house more than 60,000 residents, plus beaches and nature reserves.

In most cities, a project like this would be considered spectacular, unprecedented. In Amsterdam, it’s just a more proactive version of business as usual.