Changing public space

the development of the city stagnated and ’s-Hertogenbosch gradually turned into an ‘average’
Dutch city unable to compete with cities such as Utrecht and Amsterdam (Prak, 1997).
6.5.1 Policy and structure in ’s-Hertogenbosch
After the Second World War, the city centre of ’s-Hertogenbosch had become unattractive due
to disinvestment. The local government lacked the required capital to restore the large number
of monuments, the local watercourse Binnendieze, and the substantial war damage. Many people
had moved to the post-war neighbourhoods at the edge of the city. By the 1960s, only 10 per cent
of the total population lived in the city centre (Dona, 2004). To solve these problems and to be
able to compete with other city centres, the municipality decided to set up a new structure plan
(Structuurplan) in 1964, following the same CIAM ideology that persisted in Rotterdam and
Dordrecht. The plan facilitated the city’s accessibility by creating broad roads right to its centre
and large parking spaces. The Pijp was a former working-class neighbourhood located north of
the central market place (the Markt). It was in a pauperised state with many outdated houses.
Built in in the 18th and 19th century, it was regarded as being less valuable than the medieval
parts of the city. Therefore, the demolition started in this area. It resulted in the widening of
the Tolbrugstraat, the development of the Loeffplein, and the construction of a hospital (Groot
Ziekengasthuis – GZG) and a police station. The demolished area was named Tolbrugkwartier.
The local population furiously opposed the structure plan. Like in Dordrecht, it was soon realised
that rehabilitating large parts of the city centre was not a good idea. The plans were stopped in
1969, and ’s-Hertogenbosch has kept most of its fine-grained structure.
Another revitalisation impulse came about in the 1980s, because ’s-Hertogenbosch
encountered economic problems. Although it had never been a typical industrial city, some
large factories had left the city, including De Gruyter, Michelin, and Remington Rant. The local
Table 6.10 Policies and changes in public space in the city centre of ’s-Hertogenbosch
Period Year Policies Year Changes in public space
1960s 1964 Structure plan (Structuurplan). Focus
on the accessibility of the city centre
Demolition activities and construction of
Loeffplein. Stopped in 1969
1970s
1980s 1989 Opening Pettelaarpark
1990s 1992
1993
Memorandum on revitalising public
space in the centre resulting in:
City plan ‘The Inner City Outside’
(De Binnenstad Buiten). Focus on the
design and redevelopment of public
spaces in the city centre
1992
1993
1995
1998
1998
1998
Start construction Paleiskwartier
Redevelopment Kerkstraat/Kerkplein
Redevelopment Hinthamerstraat
Redevelopment Vughterstraat
Opening of Arena/Stoa and Loeffplein
Redevelopment Stationsplein
2000s 2001
2008
2008
2010
Redevelopment Hooge Steenweg
Redevelopment of Markt/Pensmarkt
Redevelopment of Parade
Redevelopment of GZG location
2010s 2012 Completion of Paleiskwartier
Source: based on Gemeente ’s-Hertogenbosch (1993) and Interviews (2006). NB. Indicated years refer to the completion of
the redevelopment project; the actual redevelopment process often started earlier. Changes in public space after 2007 are
indicated in italics, as the proposed years of completion might be subject to change.
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