ADM

North Holland, Netherlands

ADM was a self-organized squat and cultural community established in 1997 on the grounds of a disused shipyard in Amsterdam's western port area, adjacent to the North Sea Canal. It functioned as a live/work haven for approximately 130 residents from diverse backgrounds, fostering an alternative artistic ecosystem through workshops, performances, music events, and communal infrastructure built from salvaged materials.

Key facts

  • Country: Netherlands
  • Region: North Holland
  • Founded: 1997
  • Members: 130
  • Land size: Approximately 45 hectares.
  • Governance model: Self-organized community with collective decision-making processes.
  • Economy model: Resource sharing and communal living, with income generated through events and workshops.
  • Status: active
  • Website: https://adm.amsterdam/

About

ADM was a self-organized squat and cultural community established in 1997 on the grounds of a disused shipyard in Amsterdam's western port area, adjacent to the North Sea Canal. It functioned as a live/work haven for approximately 130 residents from diverse backgrounds, fostering an alternative artistic ecosystem through workshops, performances, music events, and communal infrastructure built from salvaged materials.

Full description

ADM (Amsterdamse Droogdok Maatschappij) was a self-organized squat and cultural community established in 1997 on the grounds of a disused shipyard in Amsterdam's western port area, adjacent to the North Sea Canal. It functioned as a live/work haven for approximately 130 residents from diverse backgrounds, fostering an alternative artistic ecosystem through workshops, performances, music events, and communal infrastructure built from salvaged materials.

The Amsterdamse Droogdok Maatschappij (ADM) was founded on August 17, 1877, as a dry-dock facility specializing in ship repairs within Amsterdam's western port district, near the North Sea Canal, to capitalize on the city's growing maritime trade. Initially focused on constructing and operating dry docks for hull maintenance and overhauls, the company expanded post-World War II into full shipbuilding, producing cargo vessels, warships, and passenger liners amid Europe's postwar reconstruction boom. By the mid-20th century, ADM had established itself as a key player in Dutch maritime industry, diversifying into offshore platforms to adapt to emerging demands. However, by the early 1980s, ADM's core activities had contracted sharply, leading to bankruptcy in 1985 and the site's operational vacancy as assets were liquidated.

The ADM site, originally an industrial shipyard known as Amsterdam Drydocks, experienced its first notable squatting in the mid-1980s amid Amsterdam's broader wave of urban occupations driven by post-1970s housing shortages and youth counterculture movements. The terrain was used inter alia as a music studio and lasted until eviction in early 1993. Despite the eviction order citing redevelopment needs, the site remained largely vacant for years, highlighting a pattern where property owners invoked future plans to clear squatters without immediate follow-through.

In 1997, with the site still unoccupied, a group of approximately 100 individuals resquatted the terrain, establishing a vibrant community that became known for its cultural and artistic activities. Over the years, ADM hosted numerous events, including the annual ADM festival celebrating the anniversary of the occupation every mid-October. In August 1998, the squatters organized a large festival called Drydock, which later developed into Robodock, a festival of alternative arts and culture that occurred annually for several years. Tragically, a young Italian DJ was killed on the opening night of Drydock when someone drove a truck at full speed through wooden doors into the performance space.

In 2015, ADM faced eviction threats, leading to numerous court cases involving the owner, the city council, and the squatters. Despite winning some court cases, the final judicial decision required the 130 ADM residents to leave before December 25, 2018. An alternative site was offered by the Amsterdam Council for a two-year period with limited space and no possibility to moor boats, known as the sludge fields. Approximately 50 residents did not leave, resulting in a large-scale unannounced eviction on January 7, 2019. On January 20, 2019, ex-residents of ADM and supporters slept outside at Dam Square to protest the eviction.

Post-eviction, residents relocated to a temporary site in northern Amsterdam, continuing operations as ADM Noord with ongoing events and advocacy for sustainable free-spaces.

Research summary

The ADM community in the Netherlands is a unique gathering of individuals who have come together under a framework that prioritizes creative freedom, support, and cooperation. Founded by artists and active participants within squatting networks, it serves as a refuge for both locals and newcomers, such as refugees seeking stability and connection. Members emphasize a minimalistic approach to governance, allowing for personal responsibility and self-reliance while thriving in a supportive environment that mirrors principles of permaculture. The culture is rich with artistic expression, providing a fertile ground for collaboration, creativity, and personal growth, highlighting how community members forge deep connections despite the backdrop of societal challenges.

Themes

Quotes from members

At the moment I stepped through that gate I knew I was home.

Ayla

What was quite fantastic is how organized the people were here. And especially on all kinds of levels... here was a bit of everything. So that felt really complete.

Eugene

In April the mafia came and tried to evict us, they came with heavy machinery and took a piece of the building here, they wanted to scare us away from here, the first months were a bit scary there was even gun shots sometimes.

Maik Ter Veer

Timeline

1985
ADM terrain first squatted in the mid-1980s and used as a music studio. Precursor to the later ADM community.
1993
First squat evicted in early 1993 after the owner claimed urgent plans for the terrain.
1997
Resquatted by a group of about 100 people at Hornweg 6 in the Port of Amsterdam, beginning the 22-year ADM era. About 130 people would live on the 45-hectare terrain in buildings, on boats and in vehicles.
1998
Mafia eviction attempt with heavy machinery in April. Twenty artists held the site through the early months despite intimidation including gunshots.
2015
Came under renewed threat of eviction. Over 20 court cases followed in subsequent years.
2018
Final juridical decision required the 130 ADM residents to leave by 25 December. About 50 residents stayed past the deadline.
2019
Large-scale unannounced eviction on 7 January ended ADM after 22 years as a cultural freehaven.
2020
ADM community evicted on 1 November from the Sludge Fields successor site at Buikslotermeerdijk 95 in Amsterdam Noord, the alternative location the municipality had offered after the January 2019 eviction. The original ADM Terrain at Hornweg 6 was completely leveled following the 2019 evacuation.

Research insights (95)

  • Ahmed's reliance on community resources like shared meals underscores the importance of mutual aid within a refugee context, demonstrating how essential support networks operate in resource-strapped situations. (Ahmed) [money]
  • Ahmed's experience in various refugee camps illustrates the challenges of governance and freedom, contrasting the oppressive conditions he faced in Spain with the supportive environment at ADM. (Ahmed) [conflict]
  • The community fosters a vibrant cultural exchange through shared meals, music, and art, which contributes to a sense of normalcy and joy in difficult circumstances. (Ahmed) [culture]
  • Ahmed emphasizes the welcoming nature of the community, where interactions are based on mutual respect and support, enabling him to integrate and participate actively despite initial language barriers. (Ahmed) [belonging]
  • Ahmed feels a deep sense of belonging in the ADM community, as he describes it as a place that feels like home and a source of happiness. (Ahmed) [belonging]
  • The ADM community learns from its experiences, viewing conflicts and challenges as opportunities to share knowledge and develop skills, promoting a culture of self-reliance and mutual support. (Daan) [culture]
  • The community encourages individual freedom while simultaneously asking members to balance personal rules with the needs of the group, fostering personal growth through social interactions. (Daan) [belonging]
  • Members of ADM contribute financially to utility costs without engaging in a system where profit motives dictate the purpose of community projects, emphasizing communal sharing over commercialization. (Daan) [money]
  • ADM operates without a fixed set of guidelines, relying on implicit community norms and personal responsibility to govern interactions and decision-making among members. (Daan) [governance]
  • The growth of Robodock necessitated the establishment of an organization and decision-making structures, indicating an evolution in governance as the community expanded. (Maik Ter Veer) [governance]
  • Cultural events like Robodock have been central to the community's identity, serving as a platform for radical artistic expression and fostering communal ties among artists. (Maik Ter Veer) [culture]
  • The community faced significant external threats from eviction attempts that led to a collective defensive action, reflecting how conflict has been an integral part of their identity. (Maik Ter Veer) [conflict]
  • Ayla notes that the community operates with a mindset focused on possibilities and open-mindedness, inspiring both residents and visitors to embrace creativity and new experiences. (Ayla) [culture]
  • The community promotes learning through collaboration, encouraging members to explore their interests and develop skills in an environment that values experimentation and creative expression. (Ayla) [culture]
  • Ayla points out that neighbors care for each other and create a social safety net, which reflects the communal approach to living arrangements based on mutual agreement. (Ayla) [belonging]
  • Ayla describes her immediate sense of belonging upon arriving at ADM, illustrating how the community fosters a welcoming environment where individuals are recognized and accepted from the start. (Ayla) [belonging]
  • ADM fosters a unique culture where individual experiences and backgrounds shape the living dynamics, and the absence of rigid guidelines encourages diverse expressions of identity and communal practices. (Daan) [culture]
  • The community emphasizes inclusion and personal connection, allowing new members to gradually integrate and assert their own life rules within the community's framework of collective living. (Daan) [belonging]
  • ADM operates on a contribution system focused on covering shared utilities, rejecting monetized participation in favor of shared living, which enables creative and social pursuits outside traditional economic frameworks. (Daan) [money]
  • Conflict resolution in ADM is framed around mutual respect for individual freedoms and the understanding that personal boundaries must be honored, fostering personal growth and sensitivity among members. (Daan) [conflict]
  • Members are encouraged to take initiative and responsibility for their actions, with support from others when they do so, fostering a culture of self-reliance and mutual aid. (Daan) [governance]
  • The ADM community operates without a formal set of rules or guidelines, relying instead on mutual understanding and individual responsibility to manage their interactions and maintain harmony. (Daan) [governance]
  • The interviewee's long tenure in the community highlights the importance of deep personal connections and shared experiences in establishing a sense of belonging. (Maik Ter Veer) [belonging]
  • The festival grew from informal gatherings to a structured organization, demonstrating a progression from spontaneous cultural practices to more formalized cultural production. (Maik Ter Veer) [culture]
  • Ayla believes that the community's exploration of possibilities encourages members to embrace experimentation, reducing their fear of failure and fostering resilience. (Ayla) [conflict]
  • The creation of the Robodock festival reflects a pattern of using artistic events as a means of community bonding and cultural expression, transforming the space into a 'radical adult playground'. (Maik Ter Veer) [culture]
  • Ayla perceives the community as a living ecosystem, where relationships and the way people interact are likened to permaculture principles, promoting mutual care and cooperation. (Ayla) [culture]
  • The interviewee described the early days of the ADM community as characterized by significant external conflict, particularly with attempts to evict them, which led to actions like cultural resistance. (Maik Ter Veer) [conflict]
  • In ADM, the community fosters a natural integration of newcomers through shared tasks and collaborative work, which helps build trust and connection. (Ayla) [belonging]
  • Ayla describes a strong sense of belonging in the community, emphasizing how her initial entry was facilitated by social connections and openness from others. (Ayla) [belonging]
  • Ahmed's experience in Spain reveals issues of control and lack of freedom, highlighting that even after fleeing conflict, refugees may encounter oppressive conditions that inhibit their agency. (Ahmed) [conflict]
  • Music and food acts as important cultural expressions in Ahmed's experience, providing not only nourishment but also a sense of joy and community connection during difficult times. (Ahmed) [culture]
  • Ahmed experienced a strong sense of belonging within the community, feeling welcomed and valued despite his refugee status. The supportive interactions he had with others were crucial to his well-being throughout his journey. (Ahmed) [belonging]
  • Eugene reflects on the rich cultural dynamic within the community, where diverse artistic expressions and collaborative efforts are fundamental to their identity, showcasing a thriving creative environment. (Eugene) [culture]
  • The acceptance process within the community involves personal connection and shared contributions, emphasizing the importance of individual value and communal impact. (Eugene) [belonging]
  • Eugene asserts that operating outside the norms of property ownership allows their community to thrive without the financial burden typically associated with traditional living arrangements. (Eugene) [money]
  • Eugene acknowledges the complexities of squatting, emphasizing the tension between occupying space and the ethics of ownership, which points to an underlying social conflict between individuals and property systems. (Eugene) [conflict]
  • Eugene describes a decision-making process in their community that emphasizes political awareness and collective organization, filling a gap that he felt was missing in previous communal experiences. (Eugene) [governance]
  • Ahmed reflects on the disparities he faced in different countries, expressing frustration about lack of freedom and autonomy, particularly in the Spanish camp. (Ahmed) [conflict]
  • Artistic expression and shared meals, especially the tradition of serving shorba, play a significant role in creating joy and togetherness among community members, even in dire circumstances. (Ahmed) [culture]
  • The community prioritizes inclusivity and human connection over labels such as nationality or refugee status, emphasizing shared humanity. (Ahmed) [belonging]
  • Ahmed describes an initial sense of warmth and acceptance from the community while in the camp, which fostered a feeling of safety and belonging, contrasting with his experiences of exclusion elsewhere. (Ahmed) [belonging]
  • Members are required to contribute to essential bills, emphasizing a practical approach to resource distribution while rejecting the idea of paying for existence within the community. (Daan) [money]
  • ADM's informal entry processes and communal living dynamics create a space for interpersonal connections, though members must navigate their integration into the community carefully. (Daan) [belonging]
  • The ADM community fosters a culture of mutual support and shared skill development, where initiative is encouraged and collaboration is seen as vital for collective success. (Daan) [culture]
  • The community's approach encourages personal responsibility and self-reliance, pushing individuals to navigate their own conflicts and relationships without overarching authority. (Daan) [governance]
  • ADM operates without a formal set of guidelines, relying instead on implicit understandings and minimal rules that promote individual freedom while ensuring basic communal responsibilities are met. (Daan) [governance]
  • Members of the ADM community engage in collaborative artistic projects that not only enhance personal connections but also nurtures a safety net that supports individuals' transitions and focuses on personal growth. (Maik Ter Veer) [belonging]
  • The community's annual festival, Robodock, serves as a significant creative expression that brings together artists from various backgrounds, evolving from informal gatherings into a large-scale organized event that became a pillar of the community's cultural identity. (Maik Ter Veer) [culture]
  • The initial experience of conflict with external forces, such as eviction threats from the mafia, catalyzed a creative response within the community, demonstrating how adversity can provoke innovative cultural expressions. (Maik Ter Veer) [conflict]
  • The decision-making within ADM is likened to permaculture principles, suggesting that community members thrive when they allow relationships and social connections to shape their living arrangements rather than imposing rigid structures. (Ayla) [governance]
  • Ayla describes a culture of experimentation where community members are encouraged to embrace failures as learning experiences, promoting personal growth and creativity. (Ayla) [culture]
  • Ayla emphasizes that the ADM community fosters a deep sense of belonging by allowing residents to choose their neighbors, creating a social safety net where individuals look out for each other. (Ayla) [belonging]
  • The community's approach to newcomers involves an informal invitation process where individuals can contribute until a mutual agreement is formed about longer-term stays. (Daan) [belonging]
  • ADM advocates for an economic model based on shared contributions for services used instead of traditional economic pressures, fostering creativity and community engagement. (Daan) [money]
  • Conflict and disagreements in ADM serve as learning experiences, where individuals are encouraged to resolve issues independently while also having access to community support. (Daan) [conflict]
  • The minimal rules in the community—a contribution to utility bills and a policy on guest stays—foster a culture of personal responsibility and sensitivity to others' freedoms. (Daan) [governance]
  • The ADM community operates with minimal formal governance, relying on implicit rules and mutual respect among individuals rather than prescribed regulations. (Daan) [governance]
  • The community relies on a low-cost living model that minimizes financial pressures, allowing for more focus on collaboration and cultural production rather than individual economic burdens. (Eugene) [money]
  • Entry into the community involves a process of acceptance where potential members express their intentions and demonstrate how they will contribute, fostering a collective responsibility. (Eugene) [joining]
  • The community values non-ownership as a principle that enhances trust and facilitates personal development, allowing members the freedom to participate in various ways. (Eugene) [belonging]
  • Creative practices are central to community life, with members engaging in artistic expressions and organizing cultural events, fostering a vibrant communal atmosphere. (Eugene) [culture]
  • The community emphasizes a strong sense of organization and collective decision-making, contrasting with previous experiences where leadership was concentrated in a few individuals. (Eugene) [governance]
  • The community emphasizes learning and creativity, where members are inspired by the possibilities they encounter, nurturing a vibrant, dynamic cultural environment. (Ayla) [culture]
  • Decisions within ADM are made collectively, favoring a non-restrictive approach that prioritizes individual choices while maintaining communal harmony, similar to permaculture principles. (Ayla) [governance]
  • Ayla describes a culture of experimentation and openness in which community members embrace challenges and view failures positively as opportunities for growth and beauty. (Ayla) [culture]
  • The community operates on a principle where individuals can choose their neighbors, creating a supportive social safety net and enhancing interpersonal trust and care. (Ayla) [belonging]
  • Ayla experienced a profound sense of belonging immediately upon entering ADM, feeling at home and connected to others, facilitated by communal invitations and the opportunity to contribute. (Ayla) [belonging]
  • Ahmed notes that despite past experiences of oppression, the community provides a space where members can express themselves freely and work collaboratively, contrasting his previous experiences in more controlling environments. (Ahmed) [conflict]
  • The community embraces a culture of mutual support where shared meals, artistic expression, and communal activities create bonds among members, contributing to a positive atmosphere amidst adversity. (Ahmed) [culture]
  • Ahmed expresses a strong sense of belonging and connection to the community, describing it as a place where he feels at home and enjoys interactions filled with care and support. (Ahmed) [belonging]
  • Belonging within the community has been reinforced through shared experiences of resistance and creation, as demonstrated by the collective efforts to establish the ADM space and organize events like Robodock. (Maik Ter Veer) [belonging]
  • The community has a history of organizing large-scale cultural events that emphasize artistic expression and performance, which have grown in complexity and scale, reflecting the community's vibrant cultural life and collaborative efforts. (Maik Ter Veer) [culture]
  • The early days of the community involved significant external conflict, including attempts at eviction by authorities, which led to a collective effort to resist through cultural expression and community events. (Maik Ter Veer) [conflict]
  • The community's culture is characterized by positive interactions, artistic expressions, and a shared sense of happiness, which Ahmed finds uplifting and transformative. (Ahmed) [culture]
  • The community members exhibit a welcoming attitude, embracing newcomers and facilitating connections through shared activities like serving food together, which helps build trust and intimacy. (Ahmed) [belonging]
  • Ahmed feels a profound sense of belonging in the community, describing it as a place where he feels at home and connected to others who care for one another. (Ahmed) [belonging]
  • Cultural practices within ADM revolve around shared learning experiences and the growth of personal initiative, enabling individuals to contribute creatively without the constraints of commercial viability. (Daan) [culture]
  • The entry process into the community involves initial acceptance followed by a reevaluation of member contributions, reinforcing the values of mutual respect and shared responsibility. (Daan) [belonging]
  • The community sustains itself through contributions toward utility bills rather than profit-driven activities, fostering a space where creative and social endeavors can flourish without economic pressure. (Daan) [money]
  • Conflict resolution is approached as a learning opportunity, encouraging individuals to respect others' freedoms while also promoting self-reliance and initiative. (Daan) [governance]
  • The ADM community operates without rigid guidelines, emphasizing individual freedom and organic, implicit rules formed through shared experiences rather than enforced governance. (Daan) [governance]
  • The evolution of Robodock from a local event to a larger festival illustrates how community initiatives can expand beyond initial members, inviting broader participation while maintaining a core identity. (Maik Ter Veer) [joining]
  • The early days involved creating a space for acceptance and collaboration among artists who gathered to resist eviction and establish a sense of belonging within the community. (Maik Ter Veer) [belonging]
  • The ADM community fosters a vibrant cultural landscape, expressed through large-scale events like Robodock that combine various forms of artistic performances and installations. (Maik Ter Veer) [culture]
  • The ADM community has historically responded to external threats with cultural initiatives, indicating a strategy of resilience through artistic expression and community engagement. (Maik Ter Veer) [conflict]
  • Ayla describes the governance at ADM as being similar to permaculture principles, where the community members agree on living arrangements, suggesting a unique approach to social organization that emphasizes organic relationships and neighborly support. (Ayla) [governance]
  • The community embraces a culture of experimentation and open-mindedness, encouraging members to explore their interests and learn from one another, which fosters creativity and personal growth. (Ayla) [culture]
  • Ayla's experience highlights a strong sense of belonging facilitated by the community's welcoming nature and mutual agreement on living arrangements, promoting trust and connection among members. (Ayla) [belonging]
  • Eugene discusses the process of gaining acceptance into the community, signifying that the informal decision-making emphasizes mutual connections and the contributions individuals can offer. (Eugene) [joining]
  • Eugene reflects on the entry process into their community, emphasizing the importance of openness and the commitment to collective engagement as key factors in fostering a sense of belonging among members. (Eugene) [belonging]
  • Eugene highlights the richness of cultural expressions within the community, noting how members engage in collaborative artistic endeavors that enhance the sense of belonging and shared identity. (Eugene) [culture]
  • Eugene describes an economic model in their community that relies on mutual aid and shared resources, enabling members to live with minimal financial burden while contributing in various ways. (Eugene) [money]
  • Eugene suggests that navigating conflicts and power dynamics within the community requires openness and trust, which he believes diminishes individualism and fosters collective strength. (Eugene) [conflict]
  • Eugene emphasizes the importance of collective decision-making and a well-organized community structure that includes diverse disciplines and skills, contrasting it with his previous experiences in less politically engaged environments. (Eugene) [governance]

Interviews (5)