Changing public space

the market. However, the market association, supported by the federation of local entrepreneurs
(FCE), opposed this location because they found it too remote. Eventually, the local government
agreed to move the market to the Oude Markt, even though this would delay its redevelopment.
The other squares and streets within the Stadserf were redeveloped one by one. When the
market returned to the Van Heekplein in August 2003, the Oude Markt was redesigned
in 2004 as centerpiece of the Stadserf renovation. Sant & Co’s plans described above were
implemented. In addition, the lighting of the square was enhanced: while the terraces and the
church are illuminated softly, the square obtained ‘calamity lighting’ to be able to control possible
disorder after the cafés close at night. For the same reason, a few cameras were placed at the
Oude Markt in 2005. The design of the Stadserf was nominated for the landscape architecture
price (Omgevingsarchitectuurprijs) in 2006. Although it did not win, the Oude Markt received a
honourable mention of the jury, which praised the simplicity and uniformity of the design.
Enschede received European support to redevelop the Stadserf. Within the framework of
the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Enschede and eight other Dutch cities
obtained subsidies in order to finance economic and physical improvements in distressed urban
neighbourhoods (Gemeente Enschede, 2003). Enschede spent the subsidies of 14,5 million euros
on an old industrial area and the reconstruction of the neighbourhood that was partly destroyed
during the firework disaster. Another part of the subsidy was directed to the redevelopment of
the Stadserf. Although it was not particularly distressed, the local government argued that the
redevelopment would improve Enschede’s image as retail city and thus attract more visitors. This
in turn might increase employment rates and decrease Enschede’s economic backlog compared
to other Dutch cities (Gemeente Enschede, 2003). The ERDF contribution to the upgrading of
the Stadserf was 900,000 euros.
In addition, the association of local entrepreneurs (FCE) was willing to co-finance one-third
of the total costs for the redevelopment of the Stadserf, which were estimated on 17 million
euro. The local entrepreneurs insisted on contributing via special assessments (baatbelasting – see
Section 4.4.1) rather than through direct payment via the FCE. This would also force non-FCE
members (mostly chain and franchise stores) to contribute to the redevelopment. Enschede
already had positive experiences with using tax payments to redevelop public space during
the 1993 renovation of the Havenstraat passage, a side street of the Oude Markt. However,
the contribution to the Stadserf has not become operative yet, because the municipality is in
anticipation of legal judgments. In July 2005, the court decided in favour of the entrepreneurs
from Breda, who appealed against their special assessments, and stated that shopkeepers do
not have to pay tax contribution unless there is a crucial change in the design, nature or extent
of their immediate surroundings (RND, 2007). Until today, it is unclear whether the local
government of Enschede will receive the 5,9 million euro contribution of the local entrepreneurs,
while the redevelopment costs have already been made.
6.4.3 Van Heekplein
The Van Heekplein is located south of the historic city centre of Enschede and has always
functioned as market place and parking lot. The square has never been deliberately designed.
Part of it resulted from the bombing of Enschede in the Second World War. Because large parts
of the city centre were damaged, the local government could easily construct a large four-lane
road right through the city’s core, called the Boulevard 1945. A small piece of land remained
unused between the boulevard and the egg-shaped historic core. With the collapse of the
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