| dc.description.abstract | This study explores residents' attitudes toward the touristification of consumption spaces in two areas of Amsterdam where tourism plays out differently. Touristification refers to the
transformation of urban spaces and in particular retail, hospitality, and public areas, to cater
primarily to tourists, often at the expense of local needs.
The research is based on in-depth interviews with residents living in and around two contrasting case study areas: the Damstraat, characterized by crowd-pleasing tourism, and De Negen Straatjes, associated with gentrifying tourism dynamics. The collected data were thematically analyzed using a coding scheme that captured the cognitive, affective, and conative dimensions of resident attitudes, and these were interpreted in relation to existing academic literature.
Findings reveal that residents in the Damstraat area expressed predominantly negative attitudes, often rooted in feelings of alienation and frustration and avoidance behavior because of crowding. In contrast, attitudes in De Negen Straatjes were more ambivalent, reflecting a balance between appreciation for ambiance and aesthetics and concerns and frustration about exclusivity, retail homogeneity and crowding.
This study highlights the importance of recognizing microgeographical differences in resident attitudes. It argues for localized and context-sensitive urban policies, as a one-size-fits-all approach to managing touristification risks overlooking neighborhood-specific concerns. | |
