Changing public space

uildings to host these institutes connected by a new, large square. The cluster will be completed
in 2010 and needs to boost Enschede’s image as music city.
Although not completely finished yet, the redevelopment of the city centre has turned
the tide for Enschede. While at the end of the 1980s the city was empoverished, it has now
become a vibrant centre. It was nominated as best city centre of 2005. Although Groningen won
the election, there were many words of praise by the jury for Enschede: “Resilience, creativity,
and the will to co-operate are the most important ingredients of Enschede’s success formula;
thinking and acting together is the main motto. (…) The city centre put itself well on the map
with a planned marketing and promotion strategy …” (Platform Binnenstadsmanagement,
2005: 64, translation from Dutch by the author). Compared to 1999, the number of visitors has
increased five per cent by 2005. According to the city centre monitor, more than 53,000 people
visit the city centre on Saturdays. They rate the quality of their shopping experiences with a 7.4
(on a scale of 1 to 10 – Gemeente Enschede, 2006). According to expectations, the city centre will
attract even more visitors once the Music Quarter is finished. The increased number of visitors
has led to higher turnover; shopkeepers’ sales have increased 19 per cent since 2000 (Gemeente
Enschede, 2006). However, the redevelopment of the city centre has not been an unqualified
success. Recently, the number of visitors appears to be decreasing (7% between 2004 and 2005).
Although this is compensated by an increase in both the duration of and money spend during
visits, this trend worries the local government, especially considering the large investments that
have been made in the last decade (Gemeente Enschede, 2006).
6.4.2 Oude Markt
The Oude Markt (old market) has developed over time as a natural meeting place from which all
pedestrian roads in the city centre depart (Yücesoy, 2006). It was already visible on the first maps
Table 6.8 Timeline of developments at the Oude Markt
Year
Developments
1200s Origin of the Oude Markt as medieval market place
1980s Transformation of the Oude Markt into a café square
1981 Redevelopment of the Oude Markt during which a row of lime trees was planted between the
sidewalk cafés and the church to reroute motorised traffic
1996 Publication of the Binnenstadsboek, which announced the redevelopment of the so-called Stadserf,
including the Oude Markt
1997 Appointment of a city centre project manager specifically responsible for the redevelopment of the
Stadserf
1997-8 Discussions with local inhabitants and entrepreneurs in walking tours and information sessions on
the required elements of the renewed Stadserf
1999 Selection of architect Sant & Co to make a new design for the Stadserf
2001 Move of the weekly market from the Van Heekplein to the Oude Markt to enable the redevelopment
of the Van Heekplein
2003 Return of the weekly market to the Van Heekplein enabling the start of the redevelopment of the
Oude Markt
2004 Redevelopment of the Oude Markt as centrepiece of the Stadserf
2005 Court decision against the implementation of special assessments as financial contribution to the
redevelopment of public space
Source: based on Interviews (2006)
126