Many positive comments among Groningen residents about the renovated part of the Grote Markt on the west side of the city center. ,,Those seating islands, isn’t that cool? But those road blocks give me solitary cell vibes.”
A zigzag sea of red stones adorns the part of the Grote Markt opposite the Zwanestraat. Tree sections with benches are in the middle of the street. Now that the renovation is almost complete, pedestrians can once again walk along the northwest side of the Grote Markt. It was closed for two months.
Actually, cyclists are not allowed here, but Groningen residents don’t seem to really care about that yet. Someone regularly cycles across the square, sometimes a delivery person on an e-scooter chugs by. It doesn’t seem to bother the trudging walkers. Plenty of space.
‘I think people continue to enjoy cycling there’
Many passers-by are positive about the renovated part of the city. “I find it beautiful and relaxing. That’s what I think of the new Grote Markt anyway,” says Merel Veldkamp (21). She didn’t know and doesn’t understand that cyclists are no longer welcome. “There are no signs indicating that. I think people will continue to enjoy cycling there.”
Maxim Japs (20) from Hamburg is enthusiastic. The German is visiting Groningen for two days. ,,It has a chill vibe, I like those trees and benches.” He applauds it when cyclists stay away. “Many people in Groningen act a bit crazy in traffic, but as a tourist you can walk safely here.”
Bert and Marianne Eikelboom think the result is a success. Marianne is disappointed that texts have already been chalked on the tree sections. “Is that necessary now? It immediately strikes me.” Bert also has a comment: ,,A little more volume, a little more green would have been nice of me.”
‘It now connects better with the Herestraat’
Jaap Faken (80) also thinks so. “I think it’s an improvement, the city is improving so much. The trees are still a bit small, but they will grow on their own. A big tree would be wonderful.” He expects a hotspot for Groningen residents. “When the weather is nice, it looks like a cozy place. People can sit, children can play. It now also connects better with Waagstraat and Herestraat.”
Sietske Bekker (33) is a biologist and likes to walk along places with greenery during her break, such as the Martinikerkhof. She now calls the Grote Markt ‘more pedestrian-friendly’. It takes some getting used to not being allowed to cycle or park the bike there anymore. “That is not yet in my system. I still squeak in between on the bike. But I won’t do that again, I promise!” She lived in Zwanestraat for years and saw the policy change there too. “In the end, the municipality placed a sign with ‘cyclists allowed’, maybe that will come here too.”
‘It’s great that the municipality encourages to visit each other’
Emile Veenstra (34) has an explanation for the change to a street without bicycle traffic. “The city is anonymizing. I think it’s great that the municipality wants to encourage people to visit each other and have a chat. Those seating islands, isn’t that cool? You can chill a bit. It was a very nervous mess, but now it’s more artistic and calming.”
He still has feedback. “Those road blocks are not very sexy. It gives me solitary cell vibes. Super functional, but the aesthetic is completely gone. Especially with ugly franchises like SoLow and Burger King.” Bekker has an idea how it can be done: ,,I think planters would be nicer.”
2023-08-06 07:00:00
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