http://www.newsweek.com/id/109373

Ambitious project to close/restrict the size of the Red Light District.

What do you think?

Mixed feelings. Certainly, I think that the RLD overall is a good thing to have. Prostitution happens whether it's legal or not, and at least a legal industry can operate in the open, offer workers legal protection, and makes it easier to weed out the worst parts of the industry.

However, Amsterdam has become this mecca for drug addicts and the worst kind of guys who can't get laid. That sucks, and I can't blame local residents and politicians for wanting to clean that up.

So, I don't know. Change happens...I think so long as things like prostitution and "coffee" shops remain legal but controlled, the actual location doesn't have to matter. Prohibition, though, will increase the criminal element and make it much harder to deal with.

I agree with 2wanderers on this. This movement to restrict the size of the RLD has been going on for a while now, and I've been following it on Amsterdamlogue. The main plan envisions that in 10 years a big part of the current RLD will instead be "high-end shopping", but that about one-third of the red-lit windows will remain open for business.

If that's how it works out I'll be fine with it. Many people protested New York City's plan to run the seedy businesses off 42nd Street, but now that it's done I think it's a positive change.

The Amsterdam officials continue to say that they have no intention of trying to close down the coffeeshops or the remainder of the RLD, and if that's true I think that part of the city will be nicer. It really is one of the most beautiful parts of a beautiful city, and having to run the gauntlet of bike thieves and junkies as I pass through isn't my favorite thing.

Neutral.

I never favoured the Red Light District. It pales in comparison to the other great things the city offers and just about every tourist going to Amsterdam goes on and on about the RLD and the legal drugs at the expense of the many other beautiful things about the city.

quote:

Originally posted by Slip:
Neutral.

I never favoured the Red Light District. It pales in comparison to the other great things the city offers and just about every tourist going to Amsterdam goes on and on about the RLD and the legal drugs at the expense of the many other beautiful things about the city.

Yeah, but maybe it's thanks to the RLD and coffee shops that those "other beautiful things" aren't as innundated as they could be. Think about it!