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Integral vision for the city center of Goes

An outside perspective on the city center of Goes

Open access

Rechten:Alle rechten voorbehouden

Integral vision for the city center of Goes

An outside perspective on the city center of Goes

Open access

Rechten:Alle rechten voorbehouden

Samenvatting

In the Netherlands, the position of the city center is transitioning from a place-to-buy to a place-to-be. This means that the city center is changing from a place where people come to shop, to a place where people come to meet and experience. This shift causes Municipalities to reevaluate the position of the city center, and Goes is no exception. The main function of the city center of Goes is retail and this makes the position of the city center very vulnerable. This became painfully apparent during the financial crisis of 2008. To counter these developments the position and function of the city center of Goes needed to be revised. The main question of this research is:
“Which connections between the different themes present in-and outside the city center of Goes can be utilized, considering the trends, by writing an integral vision for the city center of Goes and how do these connections establish the city center of Goes as a place-to-be?”
The sub-questions which helped to answer the main question were:
1. What are features of an integral vision?
2. What is defined as the physical frame of the city center of Goes?
3. What is the existing situation of the city center of Goes?
4. Which impacts do trends have on the city center of Goes?
5. What are the solutions to the main challenges for the city center of Goes?

The city center of Goes as a place-to-be is:
- Multi-functional (retail, foodservice, culture, entertainment, living, working, socializing, events and recreation)
- Ambiance and an overall experience (storytelling)
- Branche-blurring (combining different functions)
- Collaboration and cohesion between the different stakeholders of the city center (integrality)
- An own identity, from the inside-out (profiling)

Results
The most important aspect of an integral vision is open, honest and clear communication between the Municipality and the city center. This creates cohesion, collaboration and trust.
When planning an integral vision it is vital to start with the why, or the motive of the vision. This motive should not be based on a problem, but on a dream/believe. A dream for the city center inspires and makes people want to become a part of that vision. This way your vision creates cohesion and collaboration within the city center.
The interviews showed that there are two different frames of the city center: the historical frame and the functional frame. The historical frame is based on the old contours of the canals. The functional frame revolves around the four main hotspots of the city center namely ‘de Oude Stadshaven’, ‘Cultuurplein’, ‘de Grote Markt’ and the core shopping area.
The city center of Goes has many qualities. The main qualities of the city center of Goes are its versatility, compactness, historical character and intricacy. Together these qualities create a cozy ambiance and this is the main quality of the city center of Goes. Final thesis – Integral vision for the city center of Goes – Sem Oosse
iv

The main trends affecting the city center are the transition from a place-to-buy to a place-to-be and the shift from a regional to a multi-regional function. These two trends result into four different scenarios for the city center. The most beneficial scenario for the city center of Goes would be a multi-regional place-to-be. To realize a multi-functional place-to-be the connections between the city center and its external hotspots need to be enhanced.
The main points of improvement for the city center were retrieved from the scenarios and the interviews. The three reoccurring themes were:
- The findability inside the city center
- The connections between the city center and hotspots outside the city center
- The identity of the city center

The first point of improvement is mainly caused by the intricacy of the city center and the focus of the city center on the core shopping area. This causes hotspots like ‘de Oude Stadshaven’ and ‘Cultuurplein’ to be overlooked.
The second point of improvement is mainly caused by the unattractiveness of the intermediate areas. Although the walking distances between the city center and the external hotspots are short, the general visitor does not dare to leave the comfortable outlines of the city center.
The final point of improvement is mainly caused by the city centers’ focus on retail. Parties like Goes Marketing define the identity of the city center around fashion. This focus, however, does not cover the entire city center of Goes. To make the city center more attractive to a wider audience, an identity for the whole city center needs to be determined.
The solutions to the points of improvement are retrieved from the interviews and supplemented by the perspective of the researcher. The solutions to improve the findability inside the city center are: adding time/distance indications and icons on the road marks, adding attractive and informational maps, creating small places-to-stay within the city center, the mixing of different functions, establishing ‘good weather’ facilities inside the city center of Goes and creating unity in the pavement. These solutions improve the multi-functionality, ambiance, mixing of functions and the cohesion within the city center and so establish the city center of Goes as a place-to-be. The solutions to connect the city center and its external hotspots are: adding attractive street attire to the intermediate areas and organizing events. These solutions improve the multi-functionality, mixing of functions and the cohesion within the city center of Goes and so establish the city center of Goes as a place-to-be.
The identity of Goes is mainly determined by its main quality which is its cozy ambiance, created by its compactness, historical character and intricacy and is supplemented by its versatility. To better determine the identity of the city center, the Municipality needs to establish a creative workgroup. Together with a branding agency this workgroup can determine the identity of the city center. By establishing the identity of the city center, the cohesion and ambiance of Goes are improved. This establishes Goes as a place-to-be.
Conclusion and recommendations
To establish the city center of Goes as a place-to-be the following themes need to be connected:
- Hotspots inside the city center of Goes
- The city center and hotspots outside the city center of Goes
- The city center of Goes and its identity.

To create these connections the previously mentioned solutions need to be applied.
The main recommendation for the Municipality of Goes is to first define the identity of the city center. When the identity is defined the Municipality can propose measures and solutions which enhance this identity and thus the attractiveness of the city center.
The recommendations for further research are to involve the inhabitants and the concept of climate change in the decision-making process for the city center. This makes the vision for the city center more integral.

Toon meer
OrganisatieHZ University of Applied Sciences
OpleidingWatermanagement/ Deltamanagement
AfdelingDomein Technology, Water & Environment
PartnerGemeente Goes, Goes
Datum2018-07-03
TypeBachelor
TaalEngels

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