lifestyle
De Pijp Residents Launch Community Heat Projects Using Doughnut Economics
A resident network in the neighbourhood is building on Amsterdam's early adoption of Doughnut Economics to tackle local energy use through community heat initiatives.
How we reported this
De Pijp now hosts Duurzaam in De Pijp, a resident-led network that runs working groups including one focused on sustainable heat supply for homes.
The effort comes at a time when Amsterdam faces pressure from overtourism and daily travel patterns that strain resources, even as the city leads with its Doughnut Economics approach that keeps local needs inside planetary limits. Residents in De Pijp are applying that framework at street level by organising around shared heating solutions rather than waiting for larger systems.
Markets and Parks Anchor Daily Low-Impact Routines
Albert Cuyp Market draws locals for organic produce, vegan street food and handmade goods across its hundreds of stalls, while Sarphatipark offers a central green space for community events and outdoor time without added travel. These spots sit within De Pijp's compact layout, which already favours walking and cycling over car trips and connects directly to the wider network of paths that stretch across the city.
Visitors and residents alike can extend those habits by crossing into nearby districts such as Oud Zuid or Noord via the free ferries or short train rides, reducing time spent in the busiest central areas where crowds concentrate.
Practical Steps That Match the Neighbourhood's Existing Patterns
Electric boats now operate on many canal routes through the historic centre, giving an alternative to higher-emission options for short crossings or longer loops. Hiring a bike for routes that leave the core streets, such as the path along the Amstel River toward Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, keeps movement local while avoiding the pedestrian and cyclist density that builds up inside De Pijp itself.
Further options include Saturday visits to the organic farmers' market at Zuidermarkt or the artisanal stands at Nieuwmarkt, both reachable by foot or short cycle from De Pijp addresses. The same public transport links that serve day trips to Haarlem or Utrecht also support quick returns before peak hours build up.
Residents tracking the Duurzaam in De Pijp calendar can combine market runs with working-group meetings at Wijkcentrum de Pijp, where the focus stays on measurable heat upgrades that fit the neighbourhood's older housing stock. The network's work continues through the quieter winter months, when lower visitor numbers make it easier to test new shared systems before the next busy season.