Proposal By An American City Planner In The 1960s For The Inner City of Amsterdam In The Year 2000

Map found on redditThis map above is part of the Jokinen Plan a futuristic concept for Amsterdam envisioned for the year 2000.

It depicts a highly urbanized and industrialized city with a complex network of highways and towering skyscrapers. The map includes annotations and various landmarks indicating the changes and developments projected at the time.

The text at the bottom of the image is in Dutch and translates to:

“The only way to save the old inner cities of the Netherlands from destruction due to traffic facilities, in our view, is to create a wide ring road around the old center. Here is a possible solution for Amsterdam. However, this means demolishing a large part of the 19th-century buildings outside the ring road, and a well-functioning public transport system (no metro…) to and from the ring road.”

This map represents an ambitious urban planning vision from the past, reflecting the concerns and ideas about urban development and traffic management during that period. It highlights the balance between preserving historical architecture and accommodating modern transportation needs.”

What was the Jokinen Plan?

The Jokinen Plan was created by the American traffic expert David A. Jokinen. He wrote two reports one for The Hague in 1962, and one for Amsterdam in 1967.

Key features of the Jokinen Plan included:

1. Ring Roads and Highways: The plan proposed the construction of several ring roads around the city and a network of highways that would penetrate into the city center. This was intended to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in Amsterdam’s narrow, historic streets.
2. Demolition of Historic Buildings: To make way for the new roads and highways, the plan suggested demolishing large portions of Amsterdam’s 19th-century buildings and even some parts of the older historic areas. This aspect of the plan was highly controversial and faced significant opposition.
3. Modernization and High-rise Buildings: The plan also envisioned modernizing Amsterdam with high-rise buildings and modern architectural styles, replacing much of the traditional low-rise architecture.
4. Focus on Automobile Traffic: Unlike later urban planning approaches that emphasized public transportation, the Jokinen Plan was heavily focused on facilitating car traffic. This included extensive parking facilities and wide roadways designed for heavy car usage.

The Jokinen Plan faced strong opposition from residents, preservationists, and urban planners who valued Amsterdam’s historical architecture and pedestrian-friendly environment.

Critics argued that the plan would destroy the city’s unique character and heritage. As a result, the plan was never fully implemented, and Amsterdam eventually took a different approach to urban planning that prioritized the preservation of its historic areas and the development of public transportation and cycling infrastructure.

Do you think it was a good idea?