organisation
The municipality of Zaanstad
The creative industry has been growing spectacularly in the Zaanstreek region in recent years, and continues to do so. Situated only 10 minutes from the city centre of Amsterdam, the region has always played a vital role in the economic development of the Amsterdam Area.
The Zaanstreek has been the largest industrial zone in Europe since way back; for example, the ‘Zaanse Schans’ is one of Holland’s main tourist destinations, drawing crowds of almost 900,000 tourists a year. The food industry emerged in the 19th century and is still a prominent industry in the region today.
The Zaanstreek stimulates the creative industry by transforming its industrial monuments into living and working spaces for creative entrepreneurs. This is often done along the beautiful banks of the River Zaan.
There are currently more than 500 creative businesses operating in the Zaanstreek. Features such as its strategic geographical position in the Amsterdam Area, its famous and appealing industrial heritage, and its water-rich countryside are likely to attract more such enterprises.
