New Metropolis
New Metropolis are two new project spaces that Pakhuis de Zwijger decided to open in the Amsterdam neighbourhoods of Nieuw-West and Zuidoost, two neighbourhoods that, over the coming years, will undergo the biggest transformations in all the different areas of the city, both physically and socially.
In the spaces, you’ll find local residents, civil servants, youth workers, project developers, entrepreneurs, and people from housing corporations and welfare organizations weaving in and out of both locations. But most often you will find young people, school-aged children and students who tell each other stories about their daily lives and discuss the future of their neighbourhoods. The main themes that come up in these discussions are housing, education, social safety and healthcare. You’ll also hear them talking about talent development, entrepreneurship, social leadership and subjects like racism and discrimination, drug use and street violence. Storytelling evenings are also hosted at both locations every month.
The locations are led by program coordinators Dorota Dabrowska (Nieuw-West) and Angelique Hoogmoed (Zuidoost).