Zuidoost then and now
History
Zuidoost has not been part of Amsterdam for very long. In the 1950s and 1960s, the city needed to expand, and the annexation of surrounding municipalities such as Diemen and Bijlmer was the logical next step in this direction. Developers saw potential in the vast open farmland to combat the housing shortage in the Netherlands, hence why you’ll see so many high-rise buildings in the area. Following the independence of Suriname in 1974, a large influx of Surinamese immigrants made their way to the Bijlmer. Today, this mix of backgrounds has also led to the establishment of some fantastic cultural initiatives from annual food, music and sports festivals like Kwaku or community-orientated theatres and art spaces such as the Bijlmer Parktheater and OSCAM.
Vibe today
Zuidoost is about as far away as you can get from your typical canals-and-clogs image of Amsterdam, but as one of the most culturally diverse and forward-facing districts, it is a side of the city that shouldn't be overlooked. Everything in Zuidoost seems a bit bigger than in the rest of the city. You won’t find any quaint bridges or cobbled alleys, but mega cinemas, high towers and flats, megastores, concert halls and a stadium with space for almost 55,000 people. But it's not just the buildings that seem bigger. There just seems to be a little more space in Zuidoost as the area is surrounded by sprawling countryside, parks and picturesque waterways, which are perfect for boating, swimming and watersports.
If you’ve visited Amsterdam for a concert, chances are you’ve been to Zuidoost. Ziggo Dome and AFAS Live are titans of the entertainment scene and have made Zuidoost a major draw for large-scale events. But look beyond the arenas, and you’ll find a tightly-knit community and a host of parks that have flourished alongside the industry. Nelson Mandelapark is at the neighbourhood’s centre, while easterly Gaasperplas Park is a serene, lakeside destination. For a bit more bustle, Amsterdamse Poort is teeming with shops and cultural spaces, where you’ll find hand-dyed Ghanese fashion at JEKKAH and colourful wax print fabrics at Africa Beauty Couture and Suzie’s Stoffen. Likewise, the area’s street markets reflect the diversity of the local residents, selling everything from spicy curry powder and vegetables to hair extensions. Don’t forget: this is the area for West African and Surinamese cuisine, so don’t overlook West African Kitchen and its focus on Nigerian dishes or neighbourhood institution WENBO for Suriname dishes.
