In November, a member of the Easiaccess team took a trip to the Netherlands. While it was a well deserved holiday, they couldn’t help but keep an eye out for ramps around Amsterdam. Known for its flat landscape, you might think that accessibility wouldn’t be a big issue in the city, but as we discovered, there’s still a diverse range of ramps serving different needs throughout Amsterdam.

The Royal Palace of Amsterdam

Our first ramp is located at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, Dam Square. This palace is used for state visits, royal occasions such as New Year’s receptions, gala dinners and award ceremonies and is also open to the public for a tour. This ramp provides public access to the palace tour and appears to be an excellent solution for ensuring accessibility. It has an appropriate gradient meaning it is easy and accessible to use for everyone, it has multiple contact points with the ground ensure stability when in use, and handrails for added support, making this ramp a thoughtful and effective solution.

Rederij Plas Boat Tours

Along the Damrak, in the centre of Amsterdam lies our next ramp. At Rederij Plas they provide boat tours through the canals of Amsterdam and have over 100 years of experience of touring. They showcase the city’s rich history while you enjoy a relaxing cruise. This ramp was functional and served its purpose, but it likely wasn’t the safest option for accessing the canal. While it features a gripped surface and a handrail, the entry and steep gradient could be challenging. Nonetheless, it offered a way of getting people onto the canal so they could still enjoy their cruise around Amsterdam.

Die Port Van Cleve

Placed just behind the Royal Palace of Amsterdam is the hotel Die Port Van Cleve. Originally a brewery in 1864, it has since become one of Amsterdam’s most beloved hotels, witnessing the city’s history, culture, and innovation over the years. This hotel consists of 6 different special monumental buildings, all connected, and hosts 122 different rooms. As for its entry, it has a unique and improvised ramp. They were challenged with some issues such as they couldn’t build onto the public footpath in front of the building and as they sandwiched between two buildings they couldn’t put the ramp in a different location. They managed to carefully design it to fit the shape of the steps which will stop it from slipping and sliding. That being said, it does have some flaws. The wood appears to be aged and likely needs replacing, at the base of the ramp, the corners slightly angle upward, which could present a tripping hazard, and the gradient is quite steep, potentially making it difficult or unsafe for some users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Amsterdam may be known for its flat terrain, but as we’ve seen, there are still a variety of ramps around the city serving different purposes. From the carefully designed ramp at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, ensuring easy and safe access for visitors, to the improvised ramp at Die Port Van Cleve, which has its flaws but addresses specific challenges, these ramps are essential for improving accessibility. Whether it’s historic landmarks, boat tours, or hotels, these ramps demonstrate the city’s ongoing efforts to accommodate people with different mobility needs, even when faced with architectural constraints.