De Wallen is one of the names given to the red light district in Amsterdam’s city centre. The name comes from the area’s location in the oldest part of the city, in the narrow alleys between the old town walls or burgwallen. The position of the wall can be traced along the neighbourhood’s canals such as the Oudezijds Achterburgwal. The red light district has existed in this location since the 14th century. In 2008 the city council began efforts to take the area up-market to attract a better class of tourists.