Changing public space

is unclear when the real redevelopment will take place and if Geurtsen’s designs will be carried
out. However, it is almost certain that the 1970s housing will be demolished and replaced by a
residential structure that better fits the historical character of the city, leading to a reduction of
the Grote Markt’s size.
6.3.3 Statenplein
Like many other Dutch cities, Dordrecht never had an abundance of squares. The original
pattern of the city is fine-grained with many narrow streets. This changed during the demolition
activities that took place in the 1960s, which resulted in the construction of the Statenplein. In its
current form and function, it is a typical retail square lined by shops (and some cafés and snack
bars) on all four sides. The square itself is used as market place twice a week and occasionally
for events. Yet, the timeline of developments shows that many plans have preceded the current
Statenplein (Table 6.6). The first plans to demolish part of Dordrecht’s city centre appeared
in 1949. The owner of the V&D, a department store located on the Voorstraat, supported the
plan and even threatened to leave the city if the demolition plans would not be implemented.
V&D was in favour of a large square behind its store, because this would create extra parking
space and enable an enlargement of the store. The Statenplein came into existence in 1962 and
became a parking space. The local government soon realised that creating such a large space in
the fine-grained structure of the city was a mistake. In 1972, the demolition activities stopped
and ideas were raised to reduce the size of the Statenplein, which was experienced as being
too big (8,100m 2 ). The new Statenplein was reopened in 1974 and appeared smaller due to the
construction of new kiosks (Bouman, 2007).
Only a decade later, new discussions started concerning the Statenplein. Many local
entrepreneurs were dissatisfied with the kiosk-design. The department of urban development
appointed architect Hoogstad in 1990 to make a new design for the Statenplein. His plan
included the removal of the kiosks and the construction of a new building in the northeastern
corner of the square. Local entrepreneurs opposed the plan and it was turned down. The local
government appointed Leyten & Brand in 1991 to develop the Statenplein. Two years later, the
developer concluded that it was impossible to develop an economically feasible plan that would
fit in the urban structure. Meanwhile, the first kiosks were demolished, but a few shopkeepers
were not willing to leave their kiosk and hampered the process (Bouman, 2007).
Vendex – the corporation of V&D – started to interfere with the decision-making process
in 1993. According to Miellet and Voorn (2001: 85), many of the traditional department stores
in Europe encountered problems in the 1990s as a result of the more erratic behaviour of the
mobile consumer and increasing competition from shopping malls. Vendex had similar problems
and started to close some stores and decrease the size of others. Developer Multi co-operated
with Vendex in most of these redevelopment projects. Vendex wanted to renovate its V&D
store in Dordrecht, but was also interested in the redevelopment of its surroundings in order
to attract more visitors. Together with Multi, it presented a plan for the Statenplein including a
new building at the southwestern corner of the square between the V&D and shopping centre
Drievriendenhof. In the meantime, the economic situation in Dordrecht further deteriorated.
The municipality wanted a new plan for the city centre. This resulted in the 1996 business plan,
which argued in favour of Vendex and Multi’s plans (Gemeente Dordrecht, 1996).
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