Public Markets

Benefits of Markets

Intro

PPS has long recognized the catalytic role that markets can play in community development.

The number of farmers markets in the United States has increased dramatically from some 1,755 markets in 1994 to over 3,700 in 2004. Over three million consumers shop at these markets, where an estimated 30,000 small farmers and food entrepreneurs earn a partial or full living selling their local products. USDA has projected roughly $1 billion in consumer spending in urban, suburban and rural communities farmers markets.

PPS' Public Markets Program aims to foster innovation and new models for public markets that are economically sustainable while maximizing their benefits on their communities, and contributing to the creation of public places that attract a broad diversity of people.

History & Context of Markets

History

The once thriving tradition of public markets in the United States can be seen in all too few cities today. Most markets closed, were torn down or converted into other uses and it is important to understand what has worked and has not worked with recent public market programs as we investigate future opportunities and challenges. PPS’s market program also studies the experiences of other markets and their impact on places. These markets – i.e., Pike Place in Seattle, Reading Terminal in Philadelphia, and North Market in Columbus – show the tremendous opportunity for public markets in today's world of shopping malls and retail chains. These markets also show that with careful planning and investment, along with effective management, public markets can again become centers of sustainable local economies and community life.

The future of the public markets rely on the places in which they are found. Truly successful public markets become catalysts and centers of entire districts where a variety of places to shop, stroll and be entertained are found. The area becomes a place where people want to live. Public markets create a critical mass of activity that enhances an entire area. Public markets are not contrived theme parks however, but real places. With the right plan, business mix, and management a public market can represent a real step forward for the enhancement of the local economy.

What is a Market?

Public Markets and Farmers Markets:

  • Have public goals
  • Operate in Public Spaces
  • Serve locally owned and operated businesses

Many different types of markets exist in a wide range of locations. There are:

  1. Open Air
    • Parks and other public spaces
    • Parking lots/Vacant sites
    • Street markets (with/without adjacent retail)
  2. Covered Markets
  3. Market Halls
    • Structures Built for Markets
    • Re-use/building conversions
  4. Market Districts

A Convergence of Disciplines

convergence

Markets can help lead to a convergence of movements and disciplines, bringing a wide range of community stakeholders together. By impacting health, open space, and local economy, markets can help demonstrate how collaboration between community agencies that typically work separately can lead to wide reaching beneficial results.

Markets & Communities: A New Paradigm

a new paradigm

Markets are microcosms of their communities. They contribute to job creation, the improvement of health issues, and the creation of safe public spaces. The Public Markets and Communities paradigm illustrates that the overlap and intersection between community development and market development goals results in innovative new solutions and mutually beneficial partnerships. Collaboration creates more opportunities for markets and community agencies and businesses to not only better achieve their goals, but also to do research, policy work, communication development, and broader outreach.

How Markets Benefit Communities

Benefits of Markets

In 2002, PPS, with support from the Ford Foundation, researched the ability of markets to impact opportunities for upward mobility and social integration (link to research PDF). PPS surveyed customers and vendors at 8 vastly different markets to assess their community and economic impacts. Six of the most prominent impacts were that markets: bring together diverse people; create active public space; shape growth and minimize sprawl; promote public health; provide economic opportunity; and renew downtowns and neighborhoods.

  1. Renews Downtowns and Neighborhoods

    renews
    • Act as an anchor for local businesses
    • Encourage spin-off development
    • Enhance real estate value & tax base
    • Keep dollars in the neighborhood

  2. Brings Together Diverse People

    diversity
    • Create places for people to gather
    • Enable mixing of diverse ethnic, cultural, & age groups
    • Encourage sense of pride & volunteerism

  3. Creates Active Public Space

    activates
    • Bring new life to underused spaces
    • Reduce actual crime—and perceived security— by bringing people together
    • Create engaging walking environment

  4. Provide Economic Opportunity

    economic activity
    • Low start-up cost
    • Small business incubation
    • First step for new immigrants
    • Opportunity for surrounding businesses

  5. Shape Growth and Minimize Sprawl

    • Support compact, walkable communities
    • Help preserve open space and family farms

  6. Promote Public Health

    • Increase access to fresh, affordable food
    • Reduce isolation and depression
    • Support community garden and urban agriculture projects

Benefits of Markets to Communities

Based on customer surveys, 2002

benefits graph

As part of the 2002 Ford Foundation supported research, PPS surveyed customers to learn the greatest benefit of markets to communities. Over 26% of people believed the greatest benefit to be that markets “bring people together.” The other responses show that customers perceive markets as places to buy healthy affordable food and as places that contribute to their communities, economically or socially.