The city says it wants to thwart organized crime, and it is targeting businesses that 'generate criminality' including prostitution, gambling parlors, 'smart shops' that sell herbal treatments, head shops and 'coffee shops' where marijuana is sold openly.

The city already had plans to close many brothels and said previously it might close some coffee shops, but the plans announced Saturday go much further.

The city says it plans to spend euro30-euro40 million (S$57.9-$77.7 million) to bring hotels, restaurants, cultural organisations and boutiques to the area. -- AP