Post by earl on Dec 17, 2007 17:13:04 GMT
Amsterdam has announced a major clean-up of its infamous city-centre red light district where prostitutes ply their trade from behind long glass windows.
Mayor Job Cohen said the revamp was needed after a move in 2000 to legalise prostitution failed to rein in the criminals running Amsterdam's sex trade.
Legalisation "didn't bring us what we hoped and expected," he said. "We want in part to reverse it, especially with regard to the exploitation of women in the sex industry."
The two-pronged plan involves reselling buildings in the area to large commercial developers and cracking down on pimps and petty crime.
To reduce pimping, the city will force escort services and "security" firms for prostitutes, which usually are not registered businesses, to obtain a licence, a fixed address and phone line, and subject them to financial auditing, he said.
Prostitution has been a part of Amsterdam since the first merchant seamen pulled into its harbour, and mostly has been tolerated by authorities and is part of the city's image.
The city began closing brothels and sex clubs in the area in 2003 to clamp down on money laundering. In September, officials announced a deal to buy buildings housing a third of the prostitutes' windows.
City councilman Lodewijk Asscher said that process would be expanded, leading to a "strong reduction" in overall prostitution.
He envisioned whole blocks of new residences, shops, restaurants and luxury hotels.
Asked whether the city's tourism industry would suffer if it loses its liberal reputation, he said any losses would be "short-term".
"We know that the tourists that come here now, the rowdy Britons, aren't always the tourists that you'd like to have in the city," he said.
"I'm convinced that in time, it will become precisely a more desirable destination because of the combination of window prostitution but without criminality, and with all these extra attractions in the area."
Mayor Job Cohen said the revamp was needed after a move in 2000 to legalise prostitution failed to rein in the criminals running Amsterdam's sex trade.
Legalisation "didn't bring us what we hoped and expected," he said. "We want in part to reverse it, especially with regard to the exploitation of women in the sex industry."
The two-pronged plan involves reselling buildings in the area to large commercial developers and cracking down on pimps and petty crime.
To reduce pimping, the city will force escort services and "security" firms for prostitutes, which usually are not registered businesses, to obtain a licence, a fixed address and phone line, and subject them to financial auditing, he said.
Prostitution has been a part of Amsterdam since the first merchant seamen pulled into its harbour, and mostly has been tolerated by authorities and is part of the city's image.
The city began closing brothels and sex clubs in the area in 2003 to clamp down on money laundering. In September, officials announced a deal to buy buildings housing a third of the prostitutes' windows.
City councilman Lodewijk Asscher said that process would be expanded, leading to a "strong reduction" in overall prostitution.
He envisioned whole blocks of new residences, shops, restaurants and luxury hotels.
Asked whether the city's tourism industry would suffer if it loses its liberal reputation, he said any losses would be "short-term".
"We know that the tourists that come here now, the rowdy Britons, aren't always the tourists that you'd like to have in the city," he said.
"I'm convinced that in time, it will become precisely a more desirable destination because of the combination of window prostitution but without criminality, and with all these extra attractions in the area."
