Bajesdorp is an innovative housing project in Amsterdam that emerged from a squatted community near the former Bijlmerbajes prison. After the original site's demolition, the group secured land to build a new, collectively-owned cooperative living space, set to be completed by late 2023 or early 2024.
The project aims to create affordable, sustainable, and socially-conscious housing for artists and activists. It's part of the VrijCoop association, which works to remove properties from the speculative market and put them into collective ownership. Bajesdorp's new building will feature living units, artist workspaces, a café, a theater, and a permaculture garden.
Inspired by Germany's Mietshäusersyndikat model, Bajesdorp operates on principles of communal living and shared resources. The project is financed through a combination of bank mortgages, city subsidies, and a crowdlending campaign, allowing supporters to invest in bonds.
Bajesdorp represents a response to Amsterdam's housing crisis and gentrification, offering an alternative to traditional property ownership. It seeks to foster a community-oriented lifestyle while providing affordable spaces for creative and activist pursuits. The project stands as a model for future collaborative housing initiatives, aiming to inspire similar developments in Amsterdam and beyond.