Why do the Dutch still live in houses on the water

Holland is a land of swamps, and its capital, Amsterdam, is the kingdom of canals. With such a complex balance of water balance, the cost of land areas for housing construction has always been high. Therefore, every precious centimeter is used in the capital of the Netherlands.

Some photographs of the city can sometimes be confused with those of Venice. But if the Venetians built their dwellings on stilts near the water, then more than 10 thousand Dutch people literally live on the water in houses equipped on boats or barges.

Initially, back in the 19th century, the poor people settled on boats, who did not have the means to buy their own full-fledged house. After two world wars, floating housing was in demand due to the lack of square meters on land. In Amsterdam, such almost a century old specimens have survived.

In the middle of the last century, houses on floating platforms began to be erected according to the same principle as ordinary buildings. These options are almost nothing like boats.

Today, not every Dutchman can afford an apartment without solid soil under the floor. Due to tight restrictions on the issuing of mooring permits by the authorities, the demand for such housing exceeds supply. And in terms of maintenance, it is much more expensive than maintaining an apartment comparable in size in a similar area.

Living in houses on the water is fashionable, albeit expensive. The authorities have issued many rules and restrictions for their exploitation. In all other respects, housing on the water is practically no different from the traditional one.

The Dutch develop their houseboats with soul. Nearly every boat has a small patio overlooking the canal for a contemplative pastime. And some are even equipped with mini-parking.

On the outskirts of Amsterdam, the tradition of living on water takes on a new embodiment: entire blocks of modular houses on stilts are being built, to which additional rooms, patios, lawns and balconies are moored.