Changing public space

The development of the Beurstraverse appears to be a success. It was recipient of the annual
award of the Dutch council of shopping centres (NRW) in 1997. A large survey conducted
in 2002 shows that on average 6,500 people per hour visit the Beurstraverse on weekdays and
81,700 per hour on Saturdays (BRM, 2002). Most people visit it frequently (1.8 times per week)
and 36 per cent stays for more than an hour. More than half of the visitors (60%) spend money
when visiting the Beurstraverse (BRM, 2002). The research by Van Aalst and Ennen (2002) also
shows that the Beurstraverse is very well evaluated. The users feel that the passage is intimate,
clean, and inviting. Many people (72%) find the Beurstraverse typical for Rotterdam despite of
its Mediterranean character. However, the Beurstraverse’s contribution to the attractiveness of
Rotterdam’s city centre is also sometimes questioned. Some argue that it has become a counter
locale, a place that appears to be public but is actually exclusive (Bergenhenegouwen & Van
Weesep, 2003; Van Aalst & Bergenhenegouwen, 2003). They base their argumentation on the
fact that the Beurstraverse is a secured public space, monitored by over 60 cameras and subject
to strict regulation. Others do not seem to regard this as unbenificial; Multi and the ABN Amro
Bank even have plans to duplicate the Beurstraverse and construct another retail underpass in
the city centre. The construction of this second Koopgoot is expected to costs 300 million euro
and will start in 2012. It will add 20,000m 2 extra retail space to the city and will be designed by
architect Rem Koolhaas (AD, 2007a).
3.3 Dordrecht
Dordrecht is a medium-sized city (118,821 inhabitants on 01-01-2006: Marlet & Van Woerkens,
2007) located at only a short distance from Rotterdam. It was the first town in Holland to obtain
city rights in 1220 and it became an important and affluent port city in the 14th and 15th century.
However, Dordrecht was no longer thriving by the end of the 20th century. Its city centre was in
a bad condition, despite several plans to upgrade it throughout the decades.
6.3.1 Policy and structure in Dordrecht
Table 6.4 gives an overview of the different policy plans and related changes in public space. It
starts with the demolition activities that took place in the city centre within the framework of
the 1961 Demolition and reconstruction plan (Sanerings- en Reconstructieplan Binnenstad). The
modernist thoughts of the CIAM stimulated good accessibility of the centre in many cities.
In Dordrecht, the idea was to create two axes to make the city more accessible: one running
from west-east, one from north-south. The Spuiboulevard, situated south of the historic centre,
has become the west-east axis. The north-south axis has only partly been completed: it starts
at the Spuiboulevard, crosses Achterom and ends at the Statenplein. Initially the south-north
axis would also have crossed the historic Beguinage northeast of the Statenplein, all the way to
the landing of the ferry to Papendrecht. However, the local government soon realised that the
demolishment would harm the city. The Statenplein became a parking space at the end of the
axis. The Grote Markt (large market) has the same origin and function. It was also created during
the 1960s rehabilitation activities. Dordrecht had many small markets, such as the Botermarkt
(butter market), Aardappelmarkt (potato market), and Vismarkt (fish market), but lacked a large
market square that could also serve as parking lot.
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