Changing public space

oadway. After an investigation of the possible consequences, it was decided to remove the bus
route completely from the Markt. With no opposition left, the redevelopment activities could
start after the carnival festivities in February 2007 (Brabants Dagblad, 2006).
But again the project was delayed. The local government became involved in a lawsuit
with two contractors concerning the tender procedure. According to one of our informants,
the possible candidates for supplying the paving materials felt they were excluded from the
procedure or that they had too little time to prepare the bid. This forced the local government
to start a new tender procedure; otherwise it would run the risk to end up with twice the needed
stones. Consequently, the redevelopment could not start in February 2007, but only in October
2007. Because the process was stopped from November 2007 to March 2008 to not interfere
with shopping and celebration activities for Christmas and carnival, the redevelopment is not
expected to be finished before November 2008; ten years later than indicated in the initial policy
plan of 1993 (Gemeente ’s-Hertogenbosch, 1993).
6.5.3 Loeffplein
The Loeffplein is a retail square in the middle of ’s-Hertogenbosch close to the Markt. Its
official name is Burgemeester (Dutch for mayor) Loeffplein. The origin of the Loeffplein
is comparable to the development of the Statenplein in Dordrecht (Section 6.3.3). It resulted
from similar demolition activities in the 1960s, which were carried out within the framework
of the 1964 structure plan (Structuurplan). The plan led to the demolition of the working-class
neighbourhood the Pijp, located north of the Markt. In return, a new hospital and police station
were built and the Loeffplein was created. Due to fierce opposition, the demolition activities
stopped in 1969, which has preserved most of the fine-grained structure of the city centre. For
the Loeffplein the sudden stop was less positive, because it was never really finished. It remained
a strange open site – used as parking space and surrounded by a few shops – of what should
have become a large city square according to the structure plan. One of our informants argued
that this incompleteness was the main reason why the Loeffplein needed to be redeveloped in
the 1990s. The direct cause was the planned relocation of the police station and the hospital to
more appropriate and larger sites outside the city centre. This would create extra open space at
the Loeffplein, whereas the main aim of the local government was to recover the fine-grained
Table 6.12 Timeline of developments at the Loeffplein
Year
Developments
1964 Publication of the structure plan and start of demolition activities of the Pijp, a former working-class
neighbourhood.
1969 Construction of the hospital (GZG) and police station in the new area named Tolbrugkwartier. The
Loeffplein came into being as the central square of this area. Due to fierce opposition the remaining
demolition activities were stopped.
1993 Start of the Centre Management including the municipality, Hartje ’s-Hertogenbosch, Fortis bank, and
the merchant association
1996 Start of construction activities Arena/Stoa
1998 Opening of the Arena/Stoa and Loeffplein
2001 Opening of the Esplanade
Source: based on Bastion Oranje (2006) and Interviews (2006)
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