This book by Floor Milikowski offers a clear portrait of Amsterdam at the beginning of the 21st century. It examines rapid population growth, the rise in tourism, and the influence of real-estate developers on the city. The city center changes visibly: traditional shops make way for international chains, while high housing prices make the city increasingly unaffordable for middle-income residents.
Developments in Amsterdam are exemplary for other major cities such as Venice, London, and Paris, and they profoundly affect the city’s identity. Floor Milikowski analyzes power relations and social change and raises a crucial question: who does the city belong to?