The Spaanse Polder is an area in the northwest of Rotterdam, bordering neighbouring Schiedam where the area is called Nieuw Mathenesse. It is a commerical area built largely in the 1930s, with a typical modernist architectural philosophy. It houses the world famous Van Nelle Fabriek (coffee & tabacco factory) by architects Van der Vlugt & Stam. The area is well connected by water, with inland harbours, and by road. Alas, water transport is not used much anymore. Some of the typical commerical real estate has residential facilities on the first floor. The area is currently being redeveloped. I passed through the Spaanse Polder a lot when I was young becuase it was on the shortest route between home and the places where my elder brother and sister lived. It is not particularly attractive but wil stick in my mind, not least because of the smell of herbs and spices imported from all over the world by a company located there.