Amsterdam is full of narrow streets and alleys. In the Jordaan district there are also numerous narrow dead-end alleys between houses, called ‘gangen’. In the 17 and 1800s, a ‘gang’ led to an hidden world where shabby houses stood. In the year 1850 the city had about 1300 ‘gangen’. The situation was usually awful. Tiny one room houses, a kitchen and an alcove, dilapidated and neglected. Only one window and most of all no hygiene, clean air, daylight, sewerage, electricity or heating. Infant mortality was high. Poverty everywhere! The 'gangen' had a major impact on living conditions and culture of the neighborhood. In the early 1900s the municipality started a major clean-up. Many houses were demolished. Now, about 400 ‘gangen’ remain. All hovels are gone. In 2015 the city started giving an unofficial nameplate to some 150 'gangen'. For this labcache (length about 2 km) you need to answer a question at three remaining ‘gangen’ in the Jordaan district, and two just outside. Check the Bonus in labcache #2.
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