Indian Markets as Social Spaces

Abstract

Markets serve as public gathering places for people from different cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic communities. They are considered as the integral constituent of urban development in order to provide the opportunities for recreational activities. They occupy an essential space within the public of cities in India. Streets not only determine the character of a place but also depict the lifestyle of the citizens. Social life revolves around the public spaces which have traditionally been the streets. They are important commercial and cultural spaces and promote quality of life within cities. In order to understand the design of the urban places as living corridors affecting the street market documentation was conducted in an Indira market of Dehradun. The study focuses on the elements that shape the street experience and culture at the scale of the city. This study enables us to analyse various design elements that affect the behaviour of the user. A market in Dehradun has been chosen for the study because of deliberate choice and practical considerations. The study is limited to the existing factors and its influence on the users. The aim of the study is to know how street markets being the most socially active spaces of the urban fabric of the city can be improved to make a user more comfortable.