Tasmi Quazi
The Markets of Warwick Project was visited by another professional with a perceptive eye and understanding of development, Kristin Neudorf, a public health research consultant and contributor to the Open City Projects.
With a fresh perspective to urban design and planning, Open City Projects aims to elevate the role of public space in building strong communities through their research work, community engagement and blog. More specifically, the blog in which the Markets of Warwick is featured is aimed to profile public space best practices in terms of sustainable use of material, landscaping or unexpected programming; and its role in encouraging more connectedness to cities.
Through astute and witty observations about the characters, sights, smells and sounds, and a foray of beautiful imagery, Kristin captures the unique vibrancy of the Markets of Warwick. As she writes:
“Wandering around the markets is a thrill for your senses powered by the energy of 500,000 people who pass through every day (…)
…This market hub brings up to 8000 vendors together each day, the majority of whom are street vendors who make up the thriving “informal market” sector of Durban’s economy. But even more impressive than the sensory overload and the sheer size of the markets is the story of how the space has been transformed over the past two decades to create a safe and accessible space for people to sell and shop in the vast maze of bridges, pavement corridors, and squares that all together are Warwick Junction Market (…)
… Creative urban management strategies have addressed the multitude of health, cleanliness and sanitation issues, as well as unique challenges such as childcare and pavement sleeping. And it’s an ongoing process that is far from over as the community continues to tackle challenges and improve the market area for everyone who uses it.”
To continue reading this exceptional piece on the Markets of Warwick, which is both highly informative and entertaining, click here. Further to this, Kristin is in the process of writing a series on the Markets of Warwick Junction to be featured on the Open City Projects blog that will be worth keeping an eye out for.
