Researcher: Judy Chen, PhD Candidate; Geography, Planning and Environment (Concordia University)

Supervisor: Dr. Silvano De la Llata, Associate Professor, Geography, Planning and Environment (Concordia University)

Research Team Members:

Dr. Will Straw, Professor, Department of Art History and Communication Studies (McGill University)

Dr. Juan Torres, Professeur titulaire, Faculté de l'aménagement - École d'urbanisme et d'architecture de paysage (Université de Montréal)

Description:
“The Market Language: public markets as performative social place; with case studies on public markets in Montréal, Québec” looks at public markets in the city and its role as urban public place. Going beyond the traditional role of public markets—as places of economic transactions—this research considers the social aspects of public markets and explores how sensorial experience facilitates sociability at the marketplace. The research question, “How does the marketplace afford sociability through sensory experience?”, seeks to explore the value of public markets when recognising them as public places which possess equal power in contributing to the quality of urban life.

Through examining sociability at public markets, this research demonstrates the interplay of the sensorial, spatial, and socio and further shows public markets’ role in generating social space and public life. This emphasises both the need and the significance of sustaining public markets in the city. This is crucial as public markets have undergone many challenges in the last few years when COVID-19 allegedly originated from the public market in China—the Wuhan Huanan Seafood Market.

We’d like to hear from you!

Are you a frequent flyer to public markets in the city? Do you enjoy going to the markets? Which market is your go-to market? Jean-Talon? Atwater? Maisonneuve?

Please complete this 8-minute questionnaire (English) / Questionnaire de 8 minutes (Français) here and help us learn more about sensory experience and social interactions!

Or scan the QR code on the flyer below to access the questionnaire.