The Akbarstreet

Felix Rottenberg discovered the Akbarstraat in the Kolenkit neighbourhood in Amsterdam-West on walks during his illness. He was amazed and astounded by the Akbarstraat. He returned in September 2000 with a team of NPS employees (including a Turkish and a Moroccan journalist). He set himself up around the corner at a former chemist's. The situation of the Akbarstraat was recorded from this site. Fifty years ago, people were keen on moving from the Jordaan and the Pijp to the Akbarstraat. The new homes were spacious and offered at least half an hour of sun in a green environment. There were broad sidewalks where the children could play. Many nationalities are now represented on the street. Fewer than 10% of the current residents are Dutch-born. The street is filthy; the risk of demolition appears imminent. Rottenberg and his team stayed on the Akbarstraat for more than 9 months. They called on more than 300 residents, talked with families, and visited the school around the corner. They arranged meetings with general practitioners and social workers. They confronted public servants and managers with their findings. Parents see themselves faced with a dilemma: how can their family ever integrate in Dutch society when the neighbourhood schools are 100% black and when the language of communication is mainly Arabic. 'With whom should I integrate?' a local Turkish resident asked himself. What do the current residents think about the street? How do they perceive the neighbourhood? How can it be different, how might it be improved? In conversations with residents, their business minders and politicians who deal with them, Rottenberg tries to get behind the secret of the Akbarstraat.