The Zuidoost (or Southeast) district is separated from the city of Amsterdam by two independent administrative areas in the north border: Diemen and Duivendrecht. Although there’s an urban continuity between these different administrative zones, Zuidoost is perceived as “cut-off” from the rest of the city. For the most part, this is explained as a psychological barrier rather than a physical one.
“The way I experience Southeast is that it has a good connection with metro, but there’s a psychological thing, that this area is not connected to the city. […] [Especially in] Spakelerweg [see map 21 A]. With your bike is an absolutely terrible route. It’s not nice at all. So that gives …show more content…
However, all of them regarded to such matters as unsubstantiated or far from the real perception of the neighbourhood.
Neighbourhood structure and mobility (beyond its social stigma)
This unit of observation is characterized by its urban structure and particularities in terms of mobility. An urban continuity is observed across the whole district area, not only in its aesthetics but also in its functional (mobility) design (see figures 31 and 32).
“This area was made in the 60’s and 70’s and people who developed [Zuidoost] separated [all functions of the city within the district]. There are parks, residential areas and traffic separated from each other; an area for pedestrians, bicycles and cars separated. You cannot go with your bike through the car roads. So you have a separated network for the bicycles and that is very safe. You have your own roads, but it’s also easy to get lost in it! When you want to find an address in the evening, following the bicycle roads, it’s a very hard thing. And especially if you don’t have a smartphone.” (Tim)
Such characteristics are also considered to be safe for small children and people moving around the area. Nevertheless, mobility conditions on a micro scale have to deal with different …show more content…
" (Karin)
It can be expected that problems with financial functionings are widely present in the area, with families and individuals living on a minimum economic level. Nevertheless, community efforts may also be playing a role in such respects, where other organizational functionings could give aid to these problems. In these respects, the “Snorders” – a local ‘unofficial’ transport alternative – fill a gap that is not being covered by the official transport operators.
"[…] Public transport [fares] are too high and the service is slow. […] Snorders are actually amazing. It’s a Zuidoost thing. I do use it sometimes, especially when you’re with more people. You can go to the centre for 10 euros, and it’s cheaper than the night-bus. And it’s funny because all these people driving Snorders would use twitter asking you if you need a taxi. Within my neighbourhood it’s 2.50 and 5 euros to Duivendrecht."