Politics
De Pijp Voters Decide August Ballot on Jobs, Transit, Services
Local referendums set for August will determine funding and priorities for transit upgrades, social services, and workforce development in De Pijp.
How we reported this
De Pijp voters face a critical set of decisions this August as three major ballot measures come up for referendum, each with direct implications for local jobs, community services, and infrastructure projects. The proposals, covering public transportation expansion, funding for youth employment programmes, and upgrades to health services, target some of the most regularly used and debated services in the neighbourhood.
Why the Measures Matter Now
This year’s referendums come as De Pijp experiences rising demand for both employment support and infrastructure repairs. New population data from the 2025 municipal census shows De Pijp’s population has grown by 7 percent in five years, with local usage of trams and buses up 11 percent since 2021 according to city transport authority GVB. Community leaders and policy analysts say this growth is straining existing services, particularly at rush hour and around key hub stops like Ferdinand Bolstraat and Ceintuurbaan.
Impacts for Residents: Transport, Jobs, Health
The first measure, Proposition A, puts to a vote a €42.5 million local bond for modernising tram stops, making platforms accessible for mobility-impaired users, and converting the 24 line to green power by late 2027. If adopted, the legislation states the project will prioritise stops in De Pijp for the next 18 months. City planners estimate that 340 construction and operational jobs would be created or sustained by these works, with job ads already planned for August if voters approve the measure.
Proposition B addresses a different slice of daily life: jobs programs for youth under 25. The proposed €7.8 million allocation is intended to double capacity for training and internships by partnering with companies based in and around Sarphatipark and the Albert Cuyp market. Recent figures from the municipal Economic Affairs Office show youth unemployment running at 11.3 percent in Amsterdam Zuid. Backers say the added investment is expected to place at least 220 additional young people into paid work or formal apprenticeships within a year, based on current pilot programme outcomes.
The third major measure, Proposition C, seeks €13.4 million to update the De Pijp Health Centre and expand mental health and preventive care services. The legislation includes a plan for 14 new staff positions and extended weekend hours. Data from the city’s 2024 Health Survey showed wait times for mental health consultations in De Pijp averaged 41 days, compared to the citywide average of 28 days. The expansion is projected to keep wait times below 21 days within eighteen months of completion, according to the municipal health department’s planning documents.
Next Steps and the Voting Timeline
Voting on all three ballot measures will take place on 16 August at twelve locations across De Pijp, including the local branch library and primary school on Tweede van der Helststraat. Official voter pamphlets, including cost breakdowns and expected timelines, have been distributed and are also available online at gemeentede-pijp.nl/referendum. Results are expected by 18 August, after which the city council will move forward in accordance with the outcomes. Should any or all measures pass, funding could be released as early as 1 September, with visible work on transport and health services expected to begin before the end of 2026, policy analysts say.