Submunicipalities of Amsterdam
The municipality of Amsterdam is split into 7 submunicipalities, along with the centrally governed Westpoort district. They were formed in the early 80s, culminating in 14 submunicipalities. After reforms in 2010, the smaller submunicipalities merged, eventually leading up to a total of 7.[1] One must note that the Westpoort district is not a submunicipality, but is governed directly by the municipality of Amsterdam as a whole. The submunicipalities each have about 100,000 inhabitants, thus being comparable to medium-sized cities in their own respect.
Responsibilities & Government
Amsterdam is only one of two cities in the Netherlands that has submunicipalities, the other one being Rotterdam. The submunicipalities enjoy far-going autonomy, and the city of Amsterdam uses a policy of 'submunicipalities decide, unless...'[2]
The submunicipality is responsible for (among others):[2]
- Spatial planning
- Maintenance of public locations (parks etc.)
- Services to civilians (e.g. issuing passports)
- Local policy regarding, sport, wellbeing and education.
The central government of the city of Amsterdam still retains some power, especially in public order (police), budget, public transport and issuing social security benefits.
Government
Each submunicipality has an own council (deelraad), which is democratically elected by its inhabitants. It also has an executive branch, called the Daily Policy (Dagelijks Bestuur, abbreviated DB). The DB has its own chairman, which can be compared to a mayor. However, where the mayor of the central city government is appointed by the Crown, the DB chairman is elected by the submunicipality council[2]
References
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