The number of coffeeshops in Amsterdam’s Red Light District will be reduced by 34 percent over the next 3-6 years.

The closures are meant to make a dent in the estimated €21 – 42 million in un-taxed, yearly profits made by organized crime syndicates that officials have documented as being involved on the supply side.

The proposed measure, expected to be accepted by the Amsterdam City Council, is part of a large-scale project to clean up and repurpose Amsterdam’s city center. »

According to the Municipality of Amsterdam the large number of coffeeshops in the center of town create an infrastructure that encourages criminality. The City refers to such establishments as ‘crimogene‘ — a term used to describe functions that encourage ‘promotion or advancement of — or susceptibility to — criminality.’

The closures are part of the Coalition Project 1012, designed to spruce up downtown Amsterdam by — among other things — breaking the influence of organized crime. »

Tourists are staying away from Amsterdam’s ‘clean’ Red Light District as a result of Project 1012 — the city’s efforts to spruce up the area.

In response, German sex emperium Beate Ushe, for the most part now in Dutch hands, plans to start a publicity campaign designed to attract more foreign tourists to the world-famous district. »

The economic crisis is impacting one of the world’s oldest trades: prostitution.

Prostitutes in Amsterdam’s Red Light District told Dutch Daily Algemeen Dagblad the see fewer customers, higher rental rates for their ‘windows,’ and a sharp increase in the number of customers who want to pay less for their services. »

Amsterdammers who live in the area affected by Project 1012 — the City’s plans to reduce the number of brothels and coffeeshops in Amsterdam’s downtown area and Red Light District — were invited to have their say during a meeting with city officials.

Many of them feel stigmatized by the suggestion that their businesses are somehow promoting criminality. »

After closing a number of brothels in the Singel canal area, Amsterdam Alderman Lodewijk Asscher tells the city’s town council no further closures are necessary there.

The closures were part of the ambitious Project 1012, designed to ‘clean up’ Amsterdam’s historic city center. The project has met with increasing resistance from locals and town council members.

Asscher also says that a number of coffeeshops scheduled for closure in the Red Light District will be able to close later than originally planned. »

In the past sketches and paintings of this bridge were used to draw provincials to Amsterdam.

To-date this is still one of the city’s most photographed and painted views. »

The construction of the Zeedijk (sea dike) at the beginning of the 13th century meant that Amsterdam — which at that time was called Aemstelledam — was no longer subjected to regular flooding.

Through the centuries the street has seen many highs and lows, but currently it is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. »

According to Amsterdam daily Het Parool, mayor Job Cohen informed Kaatee at the end of January that his permits would not be renewed, because there is a ’serious measure of danger’ that the gambling halls are being used for money-laundering. »

In the heart of Amsterdam’s red-light area, prostitutes have been kicked out to make way for a controversial new scheme promoting the city’s young fashion talent. [video] »

Amsterdam plans to close down its most famous district, citing sleaze, criminal activity and human trafficking. Not everybody is happy about it. »

Amsterdam unveiled its “Red Light Fashion” project on Saturday, having converted 16 buildings that used to house prostitutes in the city’s ancient red light district into studios for young fashion designers. »

Hot on the heels of its closure of world famous brothel Yab Yum, the City of Amsterdam is now targeting one of the Red Light District’s most famous landmarks — sex theatre Casa Rosso. »

A majority of Amsterdammers — Amsterdam locals — says that while the Red Light District is an intrinsic part of Amsterdam, they nevertheless support the notion that the City must place limits on the prostitution business if criminal ties are proven. »

The city of Amsterdam is making good on its promise to clean up its world-famous Red Light District. Plans to upgrade the 750-year-old neighborhood over the next ten years include banning window prostitution from all but two locations. »

“The days that riff-raff have been allowed to control the most beautiful section of the Amsterdam’s historic centre are over.” »

Though prostitution remains legal in Amsterdam through a system that ensures women receive STD testing and have legal rights, it looks like the red-light district is about to get less rosy. »

The Dutch city of Amsterdam is to close one-third of the brothels in its famous red light district. »

Age limits in Amsterdam’s Red Light District. »

The launch of the 2007 World Press Photo tour will take place on April 24, in the Oude Kerk (Old Church) in Amsterdam. »

Amsterdam’s Red Light District is now home to a bronze statue in honor of prostitutes around the world. »

Details about Amsterdam’s 2nd Annual Open Day in the Red Light District. »

Sex peepshows fall under the category of theatrical performance and thus pay lower value-added tax, an Amsterdam court has ruled in granting an appeal by a peepshow owner against the tax authorities. »

Amsterdam’s Red Light District will soon be home to a bronze statue in honor of prostitutes around the world. »

Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen is asking two of the oldest professions – prostitution and banking – to link hands in an effort to clean up the finances of the city’s Red Light district. »