KARLIS DAMBERGS

More than a Market: How Public Markets can be

Community Destinations that Serve Civic, Social and

Physical Needs

Senior Director Kalnciema Quarter

“Don’t  spend  money  –    spend  quality  time”  

/KALNCIEMA  QUARTER/  Riga,  Latvia  

 UNESCO  heritage    of  wooden    architecture  

Market  –  a  tool  of  attraction  and  revival  

   Before  

   After  

 150  tradesmen      4000  visitors/  market    100  000  visitors/  year  

_________________________  Riga:  one  million  inhabitants  

Quality  time  with    friends  and  family  

 Public  space  of  culture  and  entertainment    

 Personal  engagement/  creativity    versus  

consumerism/  being  entertained  

Wide  audiences  covered  

       

Popular    meeting  point  

       

       Communicating  values  

Colorful  traders  with  high  quality  and  specially  selected  

local  products  

Thematic  events  in  each  market  

 •  How  a  private  space  can  contribute  society:  becoming  open  and  public  space;  

•  Raising  proOile  of  whole  neighborhood  by  becoming  one  of  the  city’s  creative  districts;  

•  Raising  awareness  and  communicating  values:  long  term  impact  on  society;  

•  Shortening  of  food  chains  and  carrying  out  quality  control  of  produce;  •  Raising  awareness  of  the  value  of  local  products,  slow-­‐food  movement;  •  Creating  a  network  of  dedicated  farmers,  producers,  artisans;  •  Place  of  inspiration:  acting  as  a  hub  for  new  initiatives  and  innovative  products;  

•  Successfully  linking  local  food,  culture  and  community  life;    •  Success  of  the  market  –  synergies  and  multi-­‐functionality;  •  Powerful  tool  of  success:  social  media/  being  online.