Historically, central markets served as grand social and commercial hubs for U.S. cities. A period of 20th century decline interrupted the evolution of markets, but creative and diverse examples have precipitated a recovery around the country.
The Street Plans Collaborative recently released a new report called Mercado: Lessons from 20 Markets Across South America, which picks up on the recent boom in markets around the United States (there has been a “460% increase in the number of known farmers’ markets operating in the county between 1994 and 2008,” according to the report) by exploring 20 markets in five South American countries for lessons about the varieties of markets and their benefits to communities.
Written by Julie Flynn and edited by Mike Lydon, the report launches from the belief that “there are few venues better suited for serendipitous collisions than markets…” In total, the report explores 20 markets in 12 cities located in the countries of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay for lessons that contribute to the applications of markets in North America.
The report includes observations about the context of the area surrounding neighborhoods (for example, pedestrian conditions and public space), the structural components of the markets, and the variety of goods sold at the market.
FULL STORY: Mercado: Lessons from 20 Markets Across South America
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.