Wederopbouw, deelplan oud-IJmuiden

In the eyes of the Reconstruction architects, Old IJmuiden, which prior to the war was renowned as an entertainment center far beyond the municipal boundaries, was really good for nothing.  When it was built, “social concern for residential neighborhoods and home construction” was not on anyone’s mind.  As such, allied bombing of German installations had brought about “the necessary clearance,” and for this reason it should be regarded as “socially impermissible to spend scarce resources to preserve these remnants, when, quite to the contrary, further clean-up is necessary.” What, then, did those splendid plans by the Reconstruction architects consist of?   For Old IJmuiden, they actually did not have all that much in store. The western section, where quite a few companies had already become established, was intended “entirely for the purpose of trade and industry.”  The eastern section remained residential for the time being, but in the long run “here, too, clearance is certainly necessary, in the course of which a different layout of housing blocks will be necessary.”  Be that as it may, nothing did come of that clearance, with the exception of the odd apartment building here and there. Collection: Velsen Gemeentearchief [Municipal Archives]