Amsterdam collapsing for years as cracks, sinkholes damage the city

PanARMENIAN.Net - Cracks and sinkholes are appearing alongside the waterways of Amsterdam, and bicycles are tumbling into the swirling water as the canalsides vanish beneath their wheels, CNN says in an article about how the Dutch capital has been slowly collapsing over decades.

According to the feature, quay walls are collapsing against houseboats, and bridges are in trouble too.

While the recent Covid-19 restrictions have relieved the Dutch capital from the more superficial blight of overtourism, it seems the city has a more pressing existential crisis.

It's in danger of crumbling into the water it's built upon. And only a makeover of enormous proportions can save it.

Fortunately, no one has been hurt yet, but unless it can work out how to carry out the millions of dollars' worth of delicate repairs needed, some of the beautiful medieval infrastructure that makes Amsterdam such a popular destination could be lost, the publication says.

Back between the 12th and 16th centuries, when Amsterdam began to grow, buildings were constructed on wooden piles -- concrete ones came later -- that provided stability in the swampy and unstable land around the Amstel river. Canals were dug into that same soft soil and canal walls were built.

Given that many of these structures are now more than 500 years old, it's inevitable that many of them need a check-up once in a while.

Now a significant number of its 1,600 bridges and 200 kilometers of canals need checking and, if necessary, replacing.