by Sherwin Lee

Urban revitalization is a hot concept for any city willing to put itself in the spotlight.  But a pressing practical issue remains-- how do you logistically plan urban spaces for the betterment of local communities?  Is it a matter of zoning?  Having developers build nice shiny skyscrapers?  Or is there more?

In this age of new urbanism, it isn't the demand for new spaces that have been caught on sustainability's hook, but the demand for existing spaces.  A good look around any part of town tells you how much space we inadvertently waste.  Recent efforts to revitalize old alleyways in Pioneer Square and turn parking lanes into parks on Capitol Hill have sparked new interest into turning nooks and crannies into walkable pedestrian-oriented community spaces.  

So where do markets play into all of this?  

In a recent mock design charrette activity in my planning class at the University of Washington, we brainstormed ways to transform the space that will soon be vacated by the current Rite Aid on University Way NE.  With the exception of one group, the consensus was clear and resounding-- a public market accessible to students, families, faculty, and all University District residents.  

As human beings, our inherent desires for food and trade also make us yearn for markets and vendors.  Reusing old urban spaces and transforming them into new places of communal gathering are always best anchored on a strong market presence.  And it is our local and independent farmers, businesses, and vendors that establish this presence best.  When you have anchors unique to the local community, the space will be that much more attractive.  After all, isn't mingling with strangers at your neighborhood farmers market so much easier than at the superstore?  

Sherwin Lee is an architecture and urban planning student at the University of Washington.  He is interested in neighborhood and community development and strongly supports using markets in urban spaces.