[1] The impetus was given to create a new residential area in the early 20th century, as Amsterdam had previously experienced large population growth.

The construction of the area was well under way on the wave of economic growth that followed the completion of the North Sea Canal in 1876 and the commissioning of the Merwedekanaal in 1892.

Indische Buurt was relatively isolated from the rest of the city by its position behind the railway line that runs through the area, and connects Amsterdam Centraal with Utrecht, until 1939 when Muiderpoort Station was built.

Since the mid-1990s the area has been undergoing rapid gentrification as formerly squatted buildings, as well as former student housing, are being renovated and sold.

Timorplein is a particular area of focus for the area's urban gentrification, and the square's renewal was completed in 2010 with the opening of a new cultural institution which includes Studio K, housing a theater and restaurant,[4] a new 'Stayokay' hostel, and the IIRE, which includes meeting and conference rooms.

Another redevelopment project is 'Pompstation', near the Zeeburgerdijk tram stop, a restaurant and cafe located in a former industrial building.

[5] In addition, one of the neighborhoods's major thoroughfares, the Javastraat, has been transformed into a new Mediterranean-style shopping area which included the repaving of streets and improved bicycle parking.

In 2010, the Borneohof building was constructed on the Javaplein, which houses a large library of Amsterdam, restaurants like Het Badhuis en de Wilde Zwijnen and the gym Akademia Training.

Amsterdam Muiderpoort railway station is situated in the west of Indische Buurt on the border with Watergraafsmeer.

Ambonbuurt (Ambon neighborhood) is a densely populated residential area bounded by the Insulindeweg, Molukkenstraat, Valentijnkade and the railway line.