Amsterdam is probably as well known for its canals, tulips and bikes, as for its red light district and coffeeshop (as the name does not explain clearly, places where you can legally smoke cannabis/marijuana as well has having a drink).

But now the area known for its sex-shops, sex-shows and brothels, is slowly changing, with the voews of the city council which has decided recently to clean up the expanding sleaze, crime and violence in the historic district (mostly blaming Eastern European pimps and international organized crime attracted by the Netherlands' lenient policies). The city bought 5 brothels and let for free for 1 year the 18 windows (out of 500 according to the IHT) to young artists, photographers and fashion designers.

Now, when you walk along the Oudezijds Achterburgwal canal, you might give for excuse looking at designer ateliers while staring at the nearly-naked mannequins cavorting in the red windows... or vice and versa. 

More information in the IHT.