Tactical vs. Strategic
In class on Tuesday, we touched on the subject
of food markets, and the impact/transformation they have on a space. This summer, I visited Peru, and visited
countless markets that sold anything you could think of. From vegetables, meats, clothes, etc…. these
markets were thriving community hubs unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I realized that while the idea of food
markets is taking hold in countless communities across America, a food market in
Seneca is quite different from a food market in South America. In answering the question of whether the
design of food markets is tactical or strategic, I strongly feel that it is
both. However, I think the more important
factor to consider is context. For
people in most countries, the food market is simply a way of life. For us, the food market seems to be more “trendy”
than a necessity.
It seems that designers around us are incorporating
more and more “flex spaces” that can be used for the community, and in this
regard, there is a strategic effort to allow a space to accommodate programs
(such as food markets). However, I think
the concept of “flex space” will continue to dominate design, leaving the user
to decide how to ultimately occupy it.
The power to use the space in whatever way needed should always be left
up to the user, it is just our job to design it.
Nice post Lea! I agree, and one thing I am struggling with is how much design a 'flex space' should have to allow people to occupy it as they need to? David kinda mentioned today in class that we need to design community spaces by considering how they will be used and that it is not enough to just say it is 'for the community'. How do we determine when a flexible space has enough designed elements to be a lively and active versus not designed enough that it just becomes dead space?
ReplyDeleteI think that your comment about food markets being trendy rather than a necessity in a place like Seneca is very accurate. These markets are great public atmospheres for us to go and experience buying and selling of goods from people at specific scheduled times. And I think that we get this from other places, where its not about a scheduled time of the market opening, this is how many people are making a living. In no way is this some sort of planned event, it is natural for them. And having the ability to find space for this to occur is important for people.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar experience interacting with food markets in Barcelona. Going is part of their daily routine - the vendors aren't trying to out do each other with instagrammable displays and none of them are bragging about being organic or anything.
ReplyDeleteVery true. I think in other countries its simply a way of life. We also have to think that mostly these are countries that have not been "progressive" in the way the US is. They still purchase food in very traditional ways.
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