Amsterdam is the most watery city in the world. Its canals and harbours fill a full quarter of her surface. Its waterways have always been its essence and its source of wealth.

The 17th century Canal Belt was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2011 and the medieval center of the city(The Red light district)is undergoing an extensive renovation with Project 1012. That name refers to the postal area code of that section of the city. That project aims to reduce prostitution in the area with at least 30 percent and to highlight the historical aspects of the oldest section of Amsterdam.