Changing public space

(Prak, 2002; Meyer et al., 2006). By the end of the 18th century the Dam still functioned
as fish market, symbolised by the weighing-house on the middle of the square. However,
in 1808 Louis Napoleon ordered to pull down this structure, as it distorted the view from
the city hall, which he had turned into his own palace. The final end of the fish market
came in 1841, when parts of the Amstel were filled to construct a new exchange building,
which permanently separated the Dam from the city’s harbour.
The (post) industrial Dam
In the 19th and 20th century the Dam transformed from a mercantile square into
a ‘national’ public space that is often used for demonstrations, celebrations and
commemorations at the foot of the national war memorial, which was constructed in
1956 to honour the victims of the Second World War (Figure 2.4). Also when the Dam is
not used for these official purposes, it serves as gathering point for many people. Thanks
to this meeting function, the Dam has never been converted into parking space, in
contrast to many other Dutch town squares. Nevertheless, the Dam was dominated by
traffic flows (cars, trams) by the end of the 20th century. In 2001 the city of Amsterdam
has therefore invested €13 million in pavement and street furniture to turn the central
square into a pedestrian friendly area.
Figure 2.4 The Dam in Amsterdam, including national war memorial on the right
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