Markets in public space are under pressure in a large number of countries, and the Netherlands is no exception. The city of Amsterdam itself grew from a fish market in the year 1200. Today Amsterdam still boasts many street markets in various neighborhoods, some open six days a week. A recent report of the central bureau of Statistics in The Netherlands (CBS) shows some improvements, especially in the food sector, but pressures continue to mount.
There are a variety of management models for these markets:
- City Operated
- Merchant operated,
- Stakeholder Operated
- Themed Markets
- Organic Food Markets
The markets compete with supermarkets, and of course the busy schedules of their customers. More often than not there appears to be a mismatch. The merchants come early and leave early, while customers work all day and come home in the evening. To address this gap, markets now pop up around public spaces and "third places" to meet people where they are. Meanwhile, the City of Amsterdam is working on a new policy to reposition markets. Exciting times!
