Changing public space

7 Fear and fantasy in the cases
7.1 Introduction
Public spaces in Dutch city centres are increasingly affected by measures to reduce feelings of
fear on the one hand, and by a focus on fantasy on the other hand. This is the main conclusion
of Chapter 3 based on current discourses in academic literature. To find out to what extent fear
and fantasy are manifest in the cases, the two concepts need to be operationalised and visualised.
For this purpose, an analytical tool in the form of six-dimensional diagrams was developed and
introduced in Section 5.4. The next sections describe the level of fear and fantasy in the public
spaces of the case-study cities by depicting these trends in six-dimensional diagrams. Each
research object has its own diagram. Section 7.6 brings all diagrams together in order to compare
the projects and to detect patterns between the intensities of secured and themed dimensions
and the level of private-sector involvement.
7.2 Fear and fantasy in Rotterdam
In their article named Public space on a slippery slope, Van Aalst and Bergenhenegouwen (2003,
title translated from Dutch by the author) conclude that the Beurstraverse has been transformed
into a counter locale, a term coined by sociologist Lyn Lofland (1998) to refer to public space
becoming more private due to surveillance, strict regulation, and private security. They base their
argument on the fact that the Beurstraverse is monitored by many cameras and subject to strict
regulation. Does this imply that the Beurstraverse can be classified as secured public space?
When applying the six-dimensional diagrams to public spaces in Rotterdam it appears that
the Schouwburgplein and Beurstraverse show very different profiles. Figure 7.1 indicates that
the Schouwburgplein can be considered a themed public space, because the coverage is more
complete in the lower part of the circle than in the upper part. Its ratings on secured dimensions
are relatively low. Previously two cameras scanned the area, but they have been removed. The area
cannot be closed off and there are comfortable designer benches to lounge on. Therefore, it has
a low intensity regarding ‘restraints on loitering’. The Schouwburgplein gets a medium rating
on the dimension ‘regulation’. Since the summer of 2004, the square has served as a test case for
co-operation between civil security guards (in Dutch called stadswacht), the police, and private
security companies. In December 2004, this experiment was deemed a success and this format
of safety management has been extended to other public spaces in Rotterdam (Rotterdams
Dagblad, 2004). Since, the Schouwburgplein is subject to the regular local ordinance, yet
supervised by private security guards in co-operation with the local police.
With regard to the themed dimensions, the Schouwburgplein shows higher intensities.
It is one of eight locations for large-scale events in Rotterdam. The square is regularly used as
a venue for concerts, outdoor film screenings, and other events. Its design has been altered to
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