Kanaleneiland

Kanaleneiland
Kanaleneiland within Utrecht
Kanaleneiland
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceUtrecht
CityUtrecht
Area
 • Total
1.27 km2 (0.49 sq mi)
Population
 (2007)
 • Total
15,614
WebsiteSouthwest district (in Dutch)

Kanaleneiland (Dutch pronunciation: [kaːˈnaːlənˌɛilɑnt, -ləˌʔɛi-], Utrecht dialect: [kɑːˈnɑːlə(n)ˌailænt]) is a district within the southwestern section of the Dutch city of Utrecht, adjacent to the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal. It is divided into two sections, Kanaleneiland-Noord and Kanaleneiland-Zuid.[1]

Social conditons

In 2005 Kanaleneiland was listed as one of 40 "problem neighborhoods" that required extra attention by the Dutch Ministry of Housing.[2] Kanaleneiland's residents have low levels of employment, health, and education.[3] Approximately 76% of the population have at least one parent who was not born in the Netherlands, most of them being of (partial) Moroccan background.[4] This unique political climate is one that shaped the views of one of its ex-residents, national politician Geert Wilders of the PVV, who lived in the area in the late 1990s.[5] During his time in Kanaleneiland, Wilders lived in an apartment complex on the Marco Pololaan, a busy street overlooking the Columbus park. This apartment complex is located above a Lidl supermarket, and has seen an increase in popularity among right-wingers.[6]

References

  1. ^ Google Maps, accessed on 8 March 2026
  2. ^ Renes, H. (2005). Historische atlas van de stad Utrecht (in Dutch). Amsterdam: SUN. ISBN 90-8506-189-X.
  3. ^ de Graaf, Laurens. "Kanaleneiland: The place to be!" (PDF). Utrecht University. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
  4. ^ "Utrecht in Cijfers". utrecht.incijfers.nl. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  5. ^ Traufetter, Gerald (27 March 2008). "A Missionary with Dark Visions". Der Spiegel. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
  6. ^ "Felle Geert Wilders leerde het politieke vak in Utrecht".