URBAN MARKETS REDESIGN FOR SAFE OPERATION IN THE AGE OF COVID 19, CASE STUDY: TABLITA MARKET, CAIRO, EGYPT

Abstract

ABSTRACT The world is facing a new pandemic that affected all aspects of life and interrupted normal daily activities, which urges rethinking the ability of the urban realm to adapt to change especially when it comes to basic human needs. Urban markets play a vital part in securing daily access to food; thus, it is crucial to keep them operating safely during pandemic. The paper starts by discussing socioeconomic implications of pandemic in the urban realm in general and in markets in particular. Guidelines for designing markets are briefly reviewed, followed by guidance provided by responsible organizations for operating markets safely during pandemic. The paper demonstrates some of the solutions and ideas applied and suggested worldwide to avoid the consequences of markets’ shutting down, then it introduces the case study: Tablita market as one of the enclosed urban markets in Cairo, Egypt, the market’s situation during pandemic is studied through observation, structured and unstructured interviews with vendors. The results from market observation and interviews show some of the socioeconomic implications of COVID on the market as well as the behavioral challenges that require innovative solutions to force the adherence to protection measures. Accordingly, the paper suggests applicable short-term and long-term solutions for Tablita market redesign in the light of these implications, challenges and protection measures that can also be applied in similar cases in Cairo to help markets operate safely and avoid severe consequences of lockdown.