If I recall correctly, I think building codes surrounding tripping/fall hazards and railings may have had something to do with it unfortunately. I may be mistaken though
To some extent that's how it is in the Netherlands, at least when compared to countries like UK/US with strict health and safety/codes. Railings to stop your car from falling in the canal? Fuck that if you can't park within a tiny space without falling into the water you deserve to die.
same goes for staircases. A student dorm I frequented in NL had a staircase in the library that was super steep, had no railings and if you trip you fall like 10m. Every step was of a different size.
Ah yes even in most slightly older normal houses you risk your life every time you go to bed upstairs. Friend of mine almost came tumbling down from my attic once, it's standard.
I stayed at a hotel in Amsterdam that was on the fourth floor, so up three flights of stairs but with no landings on each floor, and the stairs were like 4" deep with 10" risers and there were no railings. And I had to drag two rolling suitcases up with me. I couldn't help but feel like "they don't really want me here".