Playing in Nieuw-West

Amsterdam Nieuw-West is an excellent place to play. Wide streets, green parks and plenty of space to move around. The exhibition Games in New West shows how game was and still is a major force in shaping the identity of our district. The exhibition shows the personal stories of local residents around the theme of games, from the past, present and future. From stories about playing in the playgrounds by urban planner Jakoba Mulder and architect Aldo van Eyck, memories about the tricycle from the 50s and 60s, computer games from the 90s, to the Hidden body movement at the Sloterplas. Each personal story, photo or play object shows the neighborhood's shared legacy. All these elements blend together and thus form one big story mosaic about Games in New West.

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It is not without reason that playing is such an interesting theme in relation to New West. In the design of the new neighborhoods and districts of the Western Garden Cities of Amsterdam that arose after the Second World War, attention and space for the (playing) child were important pillars. As a result, part of the public space was filled with places where children could play freely. For example, the urban planning idea of land consolidation still provides safe places for children to play. Nieuw-West is rich in greenery, space, water, unique playgrounds and football fields, such as the A. Nouri Square. The Sloterplas, the blue center of Nieuw-West, is also an important place for the local resident playing. Together, these places have been inviting you to play, relax and meet for decades.

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The exhibition Playing in Nieuw-West was created with stories from local residents, collected during office hours, workshops, game nights and explorations in the neighborhood. Discover the stories on the Stories from Nieuw-West page.

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