I came across this post on one of my favorite urbanist sites, Project for Public Spaces. I thought it would be fitting to repost here as part of my Urban Recess series of posts.
Going through the list, I was mentally comparing this list to the of the role that my current farmers market, the Downtown Phoenix Public Market. I’m happy to report that, while there is room for improvement, the market fulfills the ten roles to various degrees.
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[via: Project for Public Spaces]
In the Opening Plenary of the [7th Annual International Public Markets Conference], attendees were asked to brainstorm in small groups around the question,
What are the roles and responsibilities of public markets in reconnecting communities and local economies?
Answers were written onto index cards, and collected throughout the three-day conference. At Closing Plenary, the top ten answers—the most recurring themes submitted—were presented to conference attendees:
- Catalyze neighborhood and downtown revitalization
- Build community and create a sense of local ownership and pride
- Educate members of the community, especially schools and local businesses, about the myriad benefits of markets
- Promote economic development
- Build and enhance social capital: markets as places which draw people together
- Support local products and the local exchange of goods
- Provide accessible food to all members of the community through EBT, food stamps and other programs
- Inspire a feel-good ambiance
- Create opportunities for small businesses
- Support, educate and sustain farmers
What’s your take on the above? Does your local public market accomplish these goals in your community? How can we move towards meeting the needs of the local communities we serve?
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Next time you are at the market keep these criteria in mind, and let me know how well you think the Downtown Phoenix Public Market does on each.
Good post. I’m somewhat skeptical of some of the traditional arguments in favor of farmer’s markets: locavorism, shopping local, Slow Food, etc. Nevertheless, I’ve gradually become a fan of the Downtown Phoenix Public Market because it has succeeded where others have failed in creating a vibrant urban gathering place in Phoenix’s often-neglected Downtown. People go there twice a week, even when it’s 110 degrees outside. Moreover, they go there not just for a special event, but for one of life’s most basic activities: procuring food. In this respect, DPPM is far more successful in building and maintaining urban fabric than many of the high-profile, heavily-subsidized projects a few blocks to the south.
Thanks David. I concur with your skepticism, which is why I found this article compelling. Note that 7 of the 10 arguments for local markets have nothing to do with locavorism and mainly to do with community. To me, public markets like the DPPM are more about creating a hub for the urban community than about procuring locally sourced food.
I’m also a fan of the DPPM because it is an ongoing project that evolves and adapts to community needs over time rather that a predetermined mega-project that only superficially addresses community needs.
Good post. I’m somewhat skeptical of some of the traditional arguments in favor of farmer’s markets: locavorism, shopping local, Slow Food, etc. Nevertheless, I’ve gradually become a fan of the Downtown Phoenix Public Market because it has succeeded where others have failed in creating a vibrant urban gathering place in Phoenix’s often-neglected Downtown. People go there twice a week, even when it’s 110 degrees outside. Moreover, they go there not just for a special event, but for one of life’s most basic activities: procuring food. In this respect, DPPM is far more successful in building and maintaining urban fabric than many of the high-profile, heavily-subsidized projects a few blocks to the south.
Thanks David. I concur with your skepticism, which is why I found this article compelling. Note that 7 of the 10 arguments for local markets have nothing to do with locavorism and mainly to do with community. To me, public markets like the DPPM are more about creating a hub for the urban community than about procuring locally sourced food.
I’m also a fan of the DPPM because it is an ongoing project that evolves and adapts to community needs over time rather that a predetermined mega-project that only superficially addresses community needs.