Case studies

With the continual change in the everyday life and operation of London's traditional markets, this research explores the dynamic relationship between market use, management, and physicality, in order to understand these complex urban public spaces, and how practices of market management can help to enhance and safeguard the diversity of London's markets as public places of social experience and meaning. The theoretical research consisted of a review of the academic literature on public space and traditional markets using a multi-dimensional, and inter-disciplinary approach, and the empirical research involved both a typological analysis of the traditional markets in inner London’s 13 boroughs, and then an in-depth case study investigation of two of these historic inner London markets. This was undertaken to answer the research question of how to ensure the social vitality of inner London's traditional markets, and respond to the challenges, tensions and opportunities presented in these complex inner city environments.