AN EXERCISE IN WORLDMAKING 2009 - ISS

5 The Case of the Herman Costerstraat Market in The Hague 57
most cases cheaper than those offered by established stores or supermarkets
throughout the city. Others, shop at the market because there
they can find products from their home countries that are not available
anywhere else. Some come to the market because of the experience, because
they enjoy the atmosphere and see it as entertainment. For those
that are not interested in shopping, many stalls offer different types of
local and foreign food and drinks.
Due to the large number of people coming to the neighborhood
when the market is open and despite the efforts made by the OASM to
minimize the negative effect on the residents of the neighborhood,
sometimes, complaints arise. Most of complains received by the OASM,
are related to cars or trucks that belong to vendors and are parked blocking
the streets surrounding the market or entrances to private houses.
Although petty crime increases during market’s days, most of it is limited
to the market area (Marieke, OASM staff at the main office, 2009, first
hand interview). In response, a special unit, staffed with ten officers, has
been set up by the Police to patrol the market floor and the surrounding
streets (Thelma, Police Officer at the OASM, 2009, first hand interview).
In addition to the other responsibilities above mentioned, the OASM is
also responsible for receiving the complaints from residents of the
neighborhood and coordinating with the relevant actors involved.
It is essential for the sustainable development of the market, that customers,
sellers and local residents are all respected in their spaces and
interests. It is also the role of the municipality to maintain this equilibrium
in order to ensure the well functioning of the market and peaceful
coexistence of the various actors present at the market. Given the fact
that no neighborhood organization exists in the area of the HCM, it falls
under the responsibility of the municipality to ensure that the rights of
the residents that live in the area are respected and cared for.
The commercial activity and social interaction among all actors present
at the market is not limited to the market itself, many shops around
the area in which the market is located offer products directed to the
customers that visit the market every week. Some of the products are
quite different from the ones offered in the market, like money transfer
services, while others complement the already wide variety of things offered
at the market, like hair dressers and nail polishers. (see appendix 1l
– 1q).