Redevelopment of Public Market
Redevelopment of Public Market
Redevelopment of Public Market
CHAPTER 1
The Problem and Its Settings
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
A. Introduction
Traditional public markets started in the Philippines even
before the Spanish occupation with the barter system of the Chinese
and Filipino merchants. When the Spaniards came in the country,
public markets became a more vital part of cities and towns.
Spaniards incorporated public markets in the Plaza planning of the
cities, where the public market is one of the civic and religious
buildings located in the middle of the plaza for easy accessibility of
the community. Even then, it has been the center for commerce and
culture of cities and towns. In the country, it is the most unique places
Fig. 1.1: Old Pritil Public Market (Photo Credits:
to visit or experience for it shows different Filipino culture and Eduardo de Leon)
traditions every day than anywhere else.
Public markets are just not a place for trade and commerce, but it also has served and benefitted the community such
as the locals, produces, its rural economy and its own culture. It gives the local people, particularly the farmers, traders,
vendors and hawkers whose main source of income is through producing goods and services, a venue and business
opportunities. It is supported by the government; therefore, it supports and protects the rights of the micro and small
enterprises (MSEs) of their business against large retail brands. It also connects urban and rural communities. The
connection happens in the trading of the produces from the producers (rural farmers) and the end consumers (urban
community). It produces access to the locally produced food systems that are vital to the health, security and economic well-
being of the country. It also has been the center of cultural exchange that builds stronger communities and serves as the
gathering place for the different types of people and demographics. It can be a place where a diverse group of people can
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
gather in a public space without the disparity of societal standards. As a public space, it can be a safe place for all types of
people. It revitalizes the community and its public realm.
Public markets have become the landmark for the community to gather and the identity of a place, not only because
it is where a town or city started but also it can tell the economic standing of a place in terms of its organization and
development. Yet, public markets in the Philippines are gradually deteriorating. It plays a vital yet neglected role in the
community. (Runnymede Trust, 2008). The once source of food and vegetable of the community is slowly declining because
of the rapid urbanization, modernity and improper waste management. The decline of consumers in the market resulted in
the inability to maintain the facilities leading to its decay - physically, culturally and economically.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
Nowadays, public markets are left behind because of the continuous rise of existing malls and supermarkets as the
consumers search for convenience and comfort. The mercantile image of Public Markets today as a center of exchange of
culture and trade has been deteriorated that causes market sustainability loss with respect to its functional relevance and its
economic stability. Moreover, public markets are looked down by some people as unsanitary places with congested space.
The physical deterioration of the public markets is due to its stagnant development, improper management and lack of
maintenance. While other commercial buildings have undergone drastic changes with style, function and architectural
innovations, public markets have not kept up with the latest advancements. Making our country filled with markets that are
not energy efficient, non-eco-friendly and unhealthy buildings.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
province. Its public market offers retail goods from the trading post while the latter provides farmer-wholesale trading.
Commercial highland Benguet-produced vegetables (82.9% of the total harvest of cabbage, carrot, and white potatoes) were
traded and marketed in La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post into the La Trinidad public market and different market centers
nationwide. Every day, 130-140 individual trucks haul vegetables from the trading post to different provinces like Bicol and
Palawan.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
As the physical environment of La Trinidad Public Market continues to deteriorate, the modernization of
supermarkets adds to the pressure of keeping its consumers. The changing market pattern and interest of the consumers are
not met due to the inadequacies and the blighted environment it could offer. As modern consumers search for good
experience and convenience, people usually want to get all things in one place. But the conventional design of public markets
is not designed to cope up with these changes, making it unresponsive to the users. This creates a major impact on the
consumability of the local product, thus creating a huge impact on the local livelihood supplying the Public Market. As the
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
market and consumer pattern changes, the La Trinidad Public Market and Trading Post cannot be able to keep up with the
demands due to their unorganized and unsanitary development that poses a threat to the public health and safety,
environment and Benguet’s agricultural economy.
Sub-Problems:
• How will the physical environment of the market respond and provide a convenient and comfortable experience to
the users?
• How will the spatial atmospherics of the market reflect the culture of La Trinidad and create a sense of place?
• How will the spatial configuration of public markets improve the inefficient zoning of spaces to enhance the flow of
trade?
• How will the regenerative market building systems sustain and utilize its natural resources to prevent environmental
degradation?
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
The study aims to create a research on how to design a sustainable development of an Agri-Cultural Trading Hub
for the advancement of the conventional design of public markets that can reflect its culture and respond to the changing
needs of the people by maximizing the potential of the site and environment while minimalizing building’s negative impact.
• Objective No. 1: To conduct a review about the current situation of the market and trading hub and elaborate the
major concerns of the users in terms of experience, the efficiency of space, security and sanitation for the provision
of possible solutions on how to address the cause of the physical deterioration of market.
Strategies:
a. Conduct an Environmental Behavior Study on the local vendors, traders, and consumers about their daily
routines and analyze how the physical environment affects their behavior and movement.
b. Conduct a survey with the vendors, traders, and consumers about their experiences at the market.
c. Gather data about the existing condition of the market that could affect its deterioration such as the
building features and systems.
• Objective No. 2: To provide strategies on how to reintroduce and therefore, preserve La Trinidad’s culture by
promoting it to the locals and tourists through the application of cultural approaches to the design of the public
market.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
Strategies:
a. Conduct an interview with the Cultural and Tourism officer of La Trinidad about the cultural practices
and perception of space of Ibaloi people.
b. Gather data at the Benguet Provincial Library and Museum about the cultural customs and traditions of
Ibaloi people.
c. Conduct a focus group that consists of veteran vendors and traders.
• Objective No. 3: To develop a model for the effective functionality of spaces within the premises of La Trinidad
Agricultural Hub by incorporating interventions and principles on its spaces, circulation, and flow; providing
better opportunities for the farmers and users.
Strategies:
a. Conduct and gather researches on how to effectively maximize the spaces of Public Markets to provide
better market productivity.
b. Document and observe the spaces that has the most and least traffic generated.
c. Conduct a physical assessment of the existing spatial development in the La Trinidad Public Market and
Trading Hub for the problems and concerns.
d. Conduct a survey with the vendors, traders and consumers about the efficiency of space.
e. Utilize the gathered researches that can be applied to improve the development of the market and trading
hub.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
• Objective No. 4: To deliver an elaborate understanding of the possible strategies on how to integrate the natural
environment to the building systems.
Strategies:
a. Utilize research studies about Regenerative Design Principles and Strategies for La Trinidad Public
Market
b. Analyze the existing building systems and its implication to the physical environment.
c. Determine the possible regenerative strategies that can be applied.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
The proponents of this study may encounter some constraints and may be limited in presenting gathered data such
as the inadequate second-hand data gathered from books and internet about the present conditions and concerns of the locals
in the trading hub. Therefore, there is a need to visit the site to gather primary data and get the direct input of the users. This
may cause difficulty in traveling to the mountainous region within the limited allocated time. Also, due to the time
constraints, there is a possibility that the proponents might not observe the trading activities during the peak seasons and
large harvests.
• Agricultural Sector of La Trinidad, Benguet: Providing the right space for the farmer-consumer and trading
enables the farmers to have a platform to sell their produce directly to the consumers and prevent wastage.
• Vendors, Traders, and Consumers: Providing an environment for the right access of safe and nutritious food
attracts the consumers to buy produce enabling the exchange of culture, livelihood opportunities and the local
economy to prosper.
• Natural Environment: The integration of regenerative principles and strategies in the building design can help to
mitigate the wastage of resources and conserve the environment.
• Field of Architecture: Introduction of a new development for public markets in order to regain its functional
relevance, cultural essence and economic stability while protecting the environment.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
G. Assumptions
Through the development of the study, the proponents assume the following:
• The local government of La Trinidad will and has the financial ability to support the funding of the
redevelopment of its public market and trading hub, for it aims to uplift and improve the environmental and
waste concerns of the province’s largest trading hub.
• The resources of the La Trinidad Trading Hub will not be wasted and will be consumed properly and efficiently
through the application of regenerative architecture to its building components that ensures the decrease of its
negative impact to the environment.
• The study can present efficient strategies in designing and redeveloping declining traditional public markets in
the country due to its environmental and physical degradation through the incorporation of regenerative and
sustainable principles.
• The research will be a reference model in changing the development of conventional and unpractical public
markets in the country.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
1. Regenerative Architecture – the practice of continuous conservation and application of the structure’s resources to
reduce its environmental impact.
2. Resources – the output produced and used by the structure such as water, energy, goods, and users that discharge
waste.
3. Sustainability – the ability to meet the needs on its own without compromising the ability of the future to meet its
own needs.
4. Trading Hub – a place for wholesale and retail trade between the producers and the consumers.
5. FVW – Fruit and vegetable waste, an organic waste generated by the market.
6. Bagsakan – an open area for the bulk delivery of wholesale goods and functions as a transaction area among
producers, wholesalers, and retailers.
7. Ub-bak - vegetable trimmings of the outer covering of the leafy vegetables which are removed prior to vegetable
cleaning and quality control.
8. Building Component – building parts and systems that make up the whole structure/s such as the physical
environment, space, and building systems.
9. Building system – an assembly of building parts that operate and manages a specific task such as a plumbing system.
10. Physical environment – the environment that focuses on the senses and responds to the space of the users.
11. Natural environment – all living and non-living things occurring naturally.
12. Producer – a person or sector that grows and supplies goods and services for sale.
13. Consumer – a person who purchases goods and services.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
Developing countries are very vulnerable to globalization because it opens up opportunities to developed countries
to influence the developing ones. The big issue in globalization in developing countries is it has affected cultures and
physical environments. (Dandekan, 1998) The new global cultures acquired from other countries are changing the
perceptions of public markets and the traditional cultures to the people. Western-influenced shopping malls are becoming
more common and replacing the public markets as a place for shopping and socializing. Thus, leading to the public markets’
deterioration and not being preserved due to having a few or no studies/techniques that can protect the vernacular properties
of public markets against the changes in the new developments.
Public markets are not designed for monumental purposes, they are simply built for functionality. It is the norm that
preservation is only reserved for monument and great buildings and not for ordinary, everyday buildings. Because it does
not meet the “requirements” for preservation such as the aesthetic value, architectural style, or the relation to the historic or
significant events/figures, public markets are deteriorating and being underused. (Legakul, 2002) The only criteria that
public market seems to meet is they preserve the story of the people from the past that is still visible today.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
Due to globalization, people are exposed to global and new culture via the media. Western-influenced shopping
malls are one of the by-products of globalization to developing countries. Now, people prefer shopping malls more than
public markets because of the convenience and comfort it delivers. Thus, public markets are being neglected.
When shopping malls and supermarkets are not yet dominating the shopping market, public markets are the ones
that meet people’s, particularly in developing countries, economic, socio-cultural and psychological needs. These places
are important to local communities as a place to buy/consume goods and services, and socialize with different types of
people. These public spaces created a “sense of place” more evidently than any other public or civic buildings. The
environments of the public markets such as commercial streets in Turkey and Hongkong, take on a certain sense of place
by possessing identifiable characteristics related to their cultures and traditions. (Hough, 1990)
As countries become more open in the global economy, western-influenced shopping malls became more common
in developing countries. These environments often times do not provide the context, physically and culturally, of the
said country, yet it still attracted more customer.
Retail experience in developing countries are stagnant due to the retailers’ preference of maintaining the status quo
and the unwillingness to change their operation. The government also provides no incentives for modernizing their
business. Shoppers of public markets have low income and do not want to find better stores. The absence of significant
trade credits and aggressive food manufacturers are additional barriers to public markets’ innovation (Kaynak 1975).
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
Having a much larger customer base pushes urban cities to provide large shopping malls and supermarkets, thus,
resulting in the disappearance of small retail systems. The supermarket type of development would eventually solve the
problem of the small enterprises such as the insufficient physical store size, inability to handle large amounts of
customers, rising cost of labor and the lack of control over the loyalty of the employees.
The rise of supermarkets has been regarded as one of the most important development in developing countries. It
has improved the standards for food retail service and introduced new products in the market but the consumers have
not embraced the new way of buying goods.
These conditions made designing of food distribution systems impossible to meet the needs of the people. (Guthrie,
1972)
The negative reception from the supermarkets is coming from the low-income group where the supermarket is seen
to target the middle- and the high-income groups only. Therefore, more shoppers greeted them with skepticism. (Kaynak,
1978) The solution that brought the needs to the public in developed countries, become the exclusive establishment in
the developing countries favoring people who least need them. (Meissner, 1978)
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
There have been a lot of studies about shopping, whether in the supermarkets or the public markets, but they paid
little to no attention to its physical environment. This part is how the physical features such as the layout and design of
the stalls influence shoppers’ experiences and how it satisfies the psychological needs of the shopper like social
interaction, sensory stimulation, security and comfort. (Ng, 2003)
It is parallel to the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. People, particularly the shoppers, have to have the basic
psychological needs for the safety, comfort, sensory stimulation, and legibility of the environment. (Kaplan & Kaplan,
1982)
Types of shoppers:
Shoppers differ in terms of their motivation and perceived benefits, and the behavioral patterns: (Bloch,1994; Stone,
1954; Williams, Panter, Nicholas, 1978)
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
Strategies
1. Sensory stimulation – public markets provide visual, aural, olfactory, tactile and taste stimulation that affects the
behavior of the consumers through manipulation of the stores’ “atmosphere”
- Modes of stimulation
o Lighting – more shoppers handle and examine their products in a bright in-store lighting than when it is soft
▪ the lighting should give attention to the impact of lighting in the functional aspect of purchasing
goods.
o Color – warm colors and cool colors affects the amount and rate of purchase and the intent to stay in the store
of the consumers
o Ambient noise – loud music/noise coming from the activity areas on markets have a tendency to drive
consumers away and the long exposure to loud noises may affect the consumers’ well-being and social
interaction
o Odor – Odor has a positive association with mood and helps influence the mood on public markets
o Temperature and touch – consumers like to touch and try products in the market and therefore retailers should
provide opportunities for consumers to feel their product.
o Crowding – shopping in a crowded store might drive consumers to spend less time and less exploration and
has a negative impact on satisfaction
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
In public markets in developing countries, senses are stimulated holistically through the use of natural bright
colors, odor, texture and finish of the material of the product, and the constant noise from hawking and
bargaining, contrary to the American farmers’ market which is odorless, quiet and less colorful.
- Safety, comfort and convenience – Public market may be deemed unsafe and uncomfortable, particularly to the
elderly and children shoppers.
- Legibility – typically, public markets are in a smaller scale than supermarkets and considered legible for shoppers.
Creating a mental image of the market and asking for stall keepers and vendors for help is also provided.
- Social interaction – the desire for connectivity and social interaction is what drives people in the market. It is
perceived by customers to be more friendly, personal, smaller and happier than supermarkets.
City should fight poverty because they attract a lot of investments and provide opportunities, yet they make it worse.
Due to the development plan of cities that often disregard the conditions and needs of the majority of the population –
the low-income group. (Tannerfeldt & Ljung, 2006) All-inclusive cities should have all the people be contributors to the
city whether formally employed or not. The lower-income or informal economy are often neglected even though they
bring just as much income as the formal economy. They should be able to help develop the economy as a part of the
city’s own dynamic progress. For the informal group to participate in the progress, they should have an assured place in
the society and the spatial existence. Public space has social and economic importance as a place for trade and communal
activities and as a channel for movement in cities. (Musyoka, Ngau, Mwango; 2010) Public spaces are important
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
resources to the informal economy for their private space is more restrictive than of the middle- or high-income ones.
Public space is essential for them but their needs are being neglected.
b. Farmer-trader-buyer relationship
The problem that smallholder farmers in developing countries face today is the marketing system. Producers
(farmers, fisherman, artisans, etc.) have a hard time in communicating to traders because of the lack of access to the
information on the prices, the demand on the products and not having an alternative channel to trade their products to
other traders or directly to the consumers. Farmers, because of their lack of proper education, may have difficulty in
exchanging terms verbally to the traders. Thus, the inefficiencies create a marketing failure such as the unexploited
market opportunities for the farmers to the consumers, resulting in an in-field and post-harvest losses, poor quality
control, unequal returns and losses, and unsatisfied consumer demand that reflects to the decline of the local economy.
The design of public markets originated from the needs and behavior of the people. These structures exist not to
have a monumental effect or specific design theory, and it is not designed environments. (dos Santos, 2015)
Public markets suffer from the conflicts from spatial developments due to the ineffective functionality of spaces. An
example of this is the incidences of people operating in areas not designated for trade which resulted in traffic congestion
and immobility of the traders.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
o Urbanization – agricultural lands in urban areas are converted into buildings, thus necessitates the urban
city to supply from the rural areas
o Traffic growth – due to the urbanization, trucks are needed more to transport produce from the trading
center to the urban markets
o Impact on location and market layout – the change in the transportation system and the need for larger
lots to accommodate the trucks and its parking lot, resulted in the move of the markets from the center of
the city to the outskirts in which have lower lot price.
o Poor marketing conditions – the common occurrence in public markets, whether in urban or rural areas.
Both type of markets has fixed and temporary stalls. Because of the high demand for stalls in the market
and the limited size of the stalls, traders opted to trade out in the streets. The products are displayed
directly to the ground and exposed to whether and pollution resulting in high loses. This, and the limited
facilities exists in the unimproved wholesale markets.
d. Strategies
• Market operations – the possible courses of action to address the problems of public market’s physical layout
o Maximized space for interaction – leads to the possibility of optimum price formation
o Utilization of support facilities
o Proper arrangement for produces to maintain produce quality
o Efficient produce handling
Maximization of spaces
• Re-designing of market stalls – the focus on accessibility in the stall designs to alleviate congestion. Developing
fixed stalls for traders with a passage path to conduct traffic flow.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
• Functional separation and circulation – The specified uses of each market block to the others.
• Market management recommendations – Proper management of space use.
Designing factors
According to Din (2000), retailers need to create or find out new environment in which space, cost and flexibility are
designed in such a way that they effectively communicate brand value and attract consumers
The design of public markets is always intended to mimic the environments such as the city, street, square and public
space. An example is the decoration of the courtyard as an outdoor public space, with pavements, trees and street furniture.
This can be traced to the urban design principles on public spaces. The layout of the public markets or shopping malls have
a series of nodes and paths that reflects in the layout and pattern of the cities. (Maitland, 1985) The theories are Lynch’s the
Image of the City (1960) and Alexander’s A Pattern Language (1977)
The urban design theories can also be applied to traditional public markets. (They are derived from the analysis of
traditional markets.). For example, imageability can be used to provide legibility that helps people comprehend the spaces
and layout of the environment. This theory is intended for large-scale context but it can also be applied to smaller-scale like
public markets.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
These patterns have been proven effective and can be applied to have a more effective and efficient public markets.
Sanitation is the most important criterion in evaluating public markets because it is the main source of fresh produce,
meat and seafoods that feed the entire municipality. Dirty, cramped, makeshift waterless toilets, constantly wet and muddy
hallways, garbage piled and strewn everywhere all contribute to make our public markets health hazards. Unfortunately,
consumers have little no choice but to patronize the public markets since it offers varied goods and bargains.
Unhealthy and dirty conditions can almost be directly traced to how the public markets are planned and designed.
For example, by designing a large block of building footprint (the area of the building directly in contact of the ground) it
naturally deprives the inner core of the building from natural light and air. (Jesus, 2005)
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
Sanitation and maintenance help encourage the consumers to patronize public markets. By implementing effective
measures to keep the place clean and safe will minimize vandalism and crime. This translates to less costly renovations and
maintenance costs.
- Building Materials
The materials used in the construction of the market should be easy to maintain and clean. The market walls
should be designed and constructed so that adequate light and ventilation is provided, while maintaining adequate
security. In designing, constructing and maintaining the physical environment (buildings, floor plans, equipment,
ventilation, fire control etc.), market management should respect basic health and safety rules and comply with all
local building codes. Particular attention should be given to wet markets, which can be a source of microbial
contamination in the market and pose a direct health hazard to market workers as well as customers. (WHO, 2006)
- Water Management
Water is an important resource in any public market. Rain or local utility water can be recycled or reused to
flush toilets, irrigate the landscaped courtyards and clean the premises. Rainwater can be harvested and stored in
underground cisterns for washing and drinking. (Jesus, 2005)
According to the Sanitation Code of the Philippines, adequate number of toilet and hand-washing facilities
shall be provided with two compartments. The plan must be approved by the local health officer in accordance to
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
DOH Standards. Odor absorbent materials such as activated carbon, sawdust and purifier machines must be provided
in each toilet. It should be located within the market but not directly to the food section to cater the public.
According to the Sanitation Code of the Philippines, there shall be sufficient drainage facilities in the market
and its premises. The sewer line from toilets and urinals shall not be connected with the drainage line of the market
and the sewage shall be disposed to a public sewerage system and should comply to the code.
Fruit and vegetable wastes (FVW) are produced in large quantities in markets and constitute a source of nuisance in
municipal landfills because of their high biodegradability (Misi and Forster, 2002). But these organic wastes are left rotten
along the market, attracting vermin and making the physical environment of market unsanitary to its users. The inadequacy
of sanitary facilities such as Toilet and Hand-washing facilities and cleaning and packaging areas for fruits and vegetables
also contribute to the unsanitary environment of La Trinidad.
During this era of rapid population growth, urbanization and economic development in developing countries, the
consumption rate has also increased, which consequently leads to the generation of a dramatically raised volume of solid
waste. (Visvanathan and Trankler, 2003). Accumulated solid waste may result in dirtiness and environmental nuisances
including odors, flies, and blowing litter that directly causes a problem. In the long-term effects, solid waste can also
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
contaminate the environment by solid waste disposal that transfers harmful substances to the air, water and soil, which may
destroy the environment and pose human health and safety problems. The sites of solid waste are the places where insects
and small rodents feed or nest and, in this way, these vectors can carry out pathogens that are found in solid waste to human
habitats. (Christensen, 2011) This may cause infectious diseases in humans and food contamination in public markets. In
addition, solid waste also poses a negative impact on economics and resources from the cost of disposal. Hence, due to these
effects, solid waste management has received much attention.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
- Wastewater Treatment
Public markets in the Philippines pose significant challenges for wastewater treatment due to the relatively
high strength of the discharges and variability of flows. Wastewater from public markets is generated from distinct
sources and activities. These includes:
When combined into a common outfall, the resulting wastewater mixture typically contains high levels of
organic material, suspended solids, fats, oils and grease. To effectively manage high-strength wastewater, treatment
infrastructure must be designed and sized not only to address hydraulic loading in terms of volume, but also organic
loading, which is expressed in terms of kilograms of BOD per day, and solids loading, which is expressed in terms
of Total Suspended Solids. Additionally, appropriate pre-treatment devices are required to remove fats, oils and
grease from prepared food stalls, and the high percentage of solids associated with butchering and produce
preparation and sales activities. Such devices typically include septic tanks, grease interceptors, grit chambers and
bar screens. The wastewater treatment system is an innovative combination of anaerobic and aerobic treatment
coupled with filtration using cocopeat media to meet local discharge standards. It also includes a water recycling
system that will allow re-use of the treated effluent for flushing toilets, watering plants and street cleaning. This
technology is being applied elsewhere in the Philippines and is suitable for other locations in the region. (Santos and
Robbins, 2011)
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
Being hailed as the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines”, La Trinidad Public Market and Trading Post are the largest
producers of organic produce in the Philippines. Every day, it generates up to 17 tons of “ub-bak” or vegetable trimmings
after cleaning ang packing the vegetables before it was traded. This organic waste is not managed properly due to the lack
of systems and facilities resulting in poor sanitation and degradation of the place. Even there is a load-back policy, wherein
the “ub-bak” are hauled back to the farms by the farmers, its implementation is not properly observed by the local
government, leaving the “ub-bak” rotten. While La Trinidad’s composting facility can no longer accommodate the large
amount of generated waste at the Market and the Trading Post.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
J. Conceptual/Theoretical Framework
DEVELOPMENT OF
PHYSICAL MODERNIZATION
MARKETS
FACTOR
Conventional Functional design and lack Loss of cultural essence Cultural aspect
Development of context and value of market
PHYSICAL UNRESPONSIVE
DECLINATION OF
DETERIORATION ENVIRONMENT
PUBLIC MARKETS
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
DECLINATION OF
PUBLIC MARKETS
leads to:
SUB PROBLEM 01: SUB PROBLEM 02: SUB PROBLEM 03: SUB PROBLEM 04:
How will the physical How will the spatial How will the spatial How will the regenerative
environment of the market atmospherics of the market configuration of public market building systems
respond and provide a reflect the culture of La markets improve the sustain and utilize its natural
convenient and comfortable Trinidad and create a sense inefficient zoning of spaces to resources to prevent
experience to the users? of place enhance the flow of trade? environmental degradation?
Inefficient consumption
Psychological needs Globalization Limited size
of energy
Improper product
Legibility Lack of context Inefficient function
handling
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
SUB PROBLEM 01: SUB PROBLEM 02: SUB PROBLEM 03: SUB PROBLEM 04:
How will the physical How will the spatial How will the spatial How will the regenerative
environment of the market atmospherics of the configuration of public market building systems
respond and provide a market reflect the culture of markets improve the sustain and utilize its
convenient and La Trinidad and create a inefficient zoning of spaces natural resources to
comfortable experience to sense of place to enhance the flow of prevent environmental
the users? trade? degradation?
Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into an Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Approach
Summary of Framework:
Traditional public markets in the Philippines suffer from its inability to change its conventional development that
leads to the underutilization of its resources. The two major factors that play that role are the physical and environmental
aspect. In the physical aspect, the improper allocation of spaces, underused building systems, unmaintained building
materials, and the sanitation issues pose a threat to the public. While in the environmental aspect, rapid urbanization creates
organic development of the market resulting in the resource wastage that is not well-managed. These concerns accumulated
caused the public markets’ physical deterioration and environmental degradation.
La Trinidad Public Market and Trading Hub, just like other public markets, underutilizes its resources but in a much
larger scale because the trading hub is the source of the majority of vegetables supplied all over the country, but it is also
one of the largest producers of waste. Which leads to its main problem on how it will prevent and stimulate the
underutilization of human and natural resources as a result of the ineffective building components. The problem produced
a chain reaction of sub-problems. The dissatisfaction of the users to buy goods from the market is caused by the unresponsive
and inconvenient experience brought by the market’s physical environment. Thus, abating opportunities to the farmers to
directly sell the unsold vegetables from the trade to the consumers. Leaving wastages from the spare vegetables, topped
with the inefficiency of public markets’ building systems which can negatively affect the environment. The study aims to
reproduce and consume its resources while reducing its wastage by maximizing the potential of the site and minimizing the
buildings environmental impact. It can be done through conducting a review about the major concerns of the users to the
physical environment, by developing a model for effective spatial planning of the public market, and lastly, by developing
possible strategies on how to integrate the natural environment to the building systems. The theories that inspired the goal
are the user-oriented design and spatial planning which both also fall under the category of the main theory, regenerative
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
architecture. Hence, stating the thesis proposal as Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into an
Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Approach.
K. Methodology of Research
Activity/Research Respondents/ Tools and
Objectives Time Frame Expected Outputs
Tactics People Involved Instruments
Reading published
Background of the
literature such as thesis • Reference
study.
To have an idea samples and articles in books,
College of Architecture
about the general the library and the articles, and
and Fine Arts (CAFA) A written report
condition of public internet for gathering data Two weeks
Library about the current
markets in the ideas and information
scenarios of public
Philippines. about public markets and • Computer and markets in the
the La Trinidad Public internet
Philippines.
Market.
Conduct an interview
Benguet Public
with the Cultural and
Museum and Library
To gain information Tourism officer about the
Benguet Cultural and Historical and
about the cultural culture and customs of • Interview
Tourism Office Two Days cultural narrative
aspect of the people the people. questions
about the
towards space. Reading published
Cultural and Tourism
literature about the
officer of Benguet
culture of Benguet
To gain information Visit La Trinidad Public
• Journal and Documentation of
about the impact of Market and Trading Hub Municipality of La
pen the daily and
the market and its to conduct observations Trinidad, Benguet and
Two weeks common routine of
premises’ physical of the users’ attitude its Public Market and
• EBS study the users inside the
environment to the towards its physical Trading Hub.
guide market.
users and the environment.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
An in-depth interview
• Request letter Data about the
with the local
for interview conditions, and
To gather data from government agency
present scenario of
the branch of the responsible for the
The local government • Interview the market.
local government or management of La
of La Trinidad, questions
the management of Trinidad Public Market
Benguet Extracted plans for
the market regarding the present
• Recorder interventions and
regarding the conditions of the market, Two weeks possible solutions of
amount of wastage the data about the
number of trades • Journal and the local
happening every government.
happening in the area. pen
day, its present
condition and its
Farmers, producers, • Journal and Documentation and
effects on the place.
Conduct a physical and consumers of the pen assessment of the
assessment of the market. waste management
processes in the market • Camera of the market.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
Photo-essay about
the conditions, and
Conduct photo present scenario of
documentation of the Farmers, producers, the market.
deteriorating building and consumers of the • Camera
systems, the problems market. Extracted plans for
about waste disposal interventions and
and the overall health of Market staff possible solutions of
the structure/s. the local
government.
Summary of Table:
The plan of action for data gathering in this research is divided into three major parts discussing different
methodologies: the initial study for the general information and knowledge about the thesis proposal, the primary and direct
gathering of data, and lastly, the synthesis of all the gathered data and comparison to other case studies. The initial study is
done through a series of library visits to read published articles and theses related to the topic and surfing the internet of
articles and electronic books. It aims to generate information about the current scenario of the thesis, in this case, public
markets in the Philippines. After gathering enough information and identifying the problem, the next phase will be the
primary gathering of data from the site. It is divided into three more targeted sub-parts, each has a different focus: about the
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
condition of the physical environment to the users, the spatial development, and the environmental impacts of the public
market’s wastage. All three sub-parts will generate data through field notes observations, in-depth and key informants’
interview, surveys and photo documentations. The final part is the synthesis where all the data gathered will be analyzed
and compared to other case studies with related topics. All of these phases will be monitored through weekly time frames.
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
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Sustainable Redevelopment of La Trinidad Public Market into Agricultural Trading Hub through Regenerative Architecture
Garcia, Patricia Valerie G. | Tapang, Kathrina Paula B. | BS in Architecture - 5A
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