On markets – Have they ever died?
The recent resurgence of public markets is just a beginning. Markets spark urban revitalization, foster community diversity and improve public health. We’re on the verge of a new era of market cities, with expansive networks to connect people and places. (Project for Public Spaces*)
I struggle to believe that there has been a ‘resurgence’ of markets, but perhaps I have been lucky all this time. Perhaps all cities where I lived had refused to let their markets die. Pelotas, Porto Alegre, Palmas, Christchurch, Aachen, and now Cairns all have their markets very well organised and established. The true meaning of placemaking I guess.
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Reference:
SILVIA TAVARES 
I think it depends on the city. In Coventry for example the market is in the centre of the city and is very well established and has been like this for years but there are other cities in the UK where efforts have been made to revistalise market spaces and it has had an impact on the area in the ways the Project for Public Spaces suggests. Good to hear there are other cities with longstanding and embedded markets.
That’s true Jennifer, thanks for your comment. 🙂
Some places certainly have benefited from new or revitalised markets, but I do find strange this idea that placemaking, as a concepts, is a new thing. Markets are the ultimate placemaking and have happened for hundreds of years. Sometimes I think we need to be more humble in our assertions, but markets are extremely important for local economies, and if they have died, deserve some attention to bounce back.