The Story Bench – Untold Stories from Amsterdam-Noord

“A podcast about the industrial heritage of Amsterdam-Noord through the eyes of young adults”

What does industrial heritage mean to young people from Amsterdam-Noord? How do they view the changing neighbourhood in which they grew up, and which stories have remained unheard until now?

The Story Bench is a project that gives young adults (aged 18–30) from Amsterdam-Noord a platform to share their voices and perspectives on the industrial heritage of their neighbourhood. In the podcast conversations, they share memories, opinions and stories about family members or people they know who worked in Noord’s industrial past.

These stories can be heard at a specially designed bench that invites people to listen, reflect and start conversations with one another.

The project is part of the exhibition Steel, Stones and Voices at Museum Amsterdam Noord, developed in collaboration with the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab Amsterdam.

During my minor at the ULT Lab, I discovered that many young residents of Amsterdam-Noord feel that their voices are not being heard. There are fewer facilities and opportunities for them, and they feel increasingly disconnected from their neighbourhood.

With The Story Bench, I want to give them a voice in Noord’s story. This project is the next iteration of the existing Story Bench, which previously gave older residents a platform to share their stories. The focus now shifts to the “Untold Stories” of young adults, who share their unique perspectives on what local heritage means in their everyday lives.

Would you like to discover how young people from Amsterdam-Noord view the past, present and future of their neighbourhood? Listen to their stories and let their experiences inspire and move you.