Changing public space

Grote Markt
Statenplein
1
2
3
1
2
3
Secured public space
1. Surveillance
2. Restraints on loitering
3. Regulation
Themed public space
4. Events
5. Funshopping
6. Sidewalk cafés
6
4
6
4
5
5
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Figure 7.2 Six-dimensional profiles of the Grote Markt and Statenplein as secured (upper half )
or themed (lower half ) public space
but a number of shops closed their doors after the weekly market moved to the Statenplein and
the number of people visiting the Grote Markt decreased (Section 6.3.2).
The diagram of the Statenplein shows a different pattern: with low ratings on secured dimensions
and high on themed ones, the square can be seen as a themed public space. The square especially
shows high ratings with respect to events and funshopping. Dordrecht is known for its many
events and was selected City of Events in 2003. A number of these events take place on the
Statenplein such as inline skate and street basketball tournaments. These events are facilitated
by electricity hook-ups in the square’s pavement, which are also used for the market that is
held on Fridays and Saturdays. With respect to funshopping the Statenplein also has a high
intensity, which is the result of the many shops that surround the square. Most of the shops
have a dominant ‘fun’ nature and sell discretionary shopping goods such as clothing and toys.
The sidewalk cafés – mainly on the northeastern side of the Statenplein – are small in size
and number. The reason for this is that cafés and restaurants are clustered around the nearby
Scheffersplein, which was designated as café square in the 1996 business plan. The Statenplein
was allowed to only have a limited amount of sidewalk cafés because the chairs and tables would
hamper the market stalls.
With respect to the three secured dimensions, the Statenplein has low ratings. Camera
surveillance in Dordrecht is limited to permanent CCTV in and around the train station (AD,
2003), and tests with moveable CCTV in the city centre. There are thus no permanent cameras
posted on the Statenplein. The area is supplied with street furniture such as benches and garbage
bins. It cannot be closed off except for the southeastern corner of Nieuwe Blok, which includes
a small underpass that leads pedestrians directly from the Statenplein to the entrance of the
shopping centre Drievriendenhof. It is closed off to prevent people from loitering there at night.
The Statenplein is subject to the general local ordinance.
Figure 7.2 shows that fear and fantasy are hardly applicable to the Grote Markt, as the square
rates low on five of the six dimensions. Secured and themed public spaces were introduced
in Chapter 3 as trends specifically visible within the city centre. Although the Grote Markt
is located in the centre at a very short distance of the Statenplein, it can be categorised as a
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