Traditionally, bazaars(markets) have always played role of key public places and activities in the evolution of cities and placemaking. These includes the streets, the thoroughfares, the chowks (squares), and the maidans (plaza) as well as the function or typology of the market altogether developing a distinct relationship with the bazaars. 

Another universal feature of these bazaars is their mix of formal and informal nature. Varying scales, varying functions, and loosely defined territories of the shops with ever expanding displays, provide unique experience and the reason why these bazaars are successful till date.

The shopping-mall typology was introduced, or imported, in the Indian cities a few years back. In many ways these shopping-malls are a complete anti-thesis to the traditional bazaars. Shopping-mall typology, the way it exists today across the Indian cities, is already proving to be a commercial failure and highly un-sustainable.

After cities getting hit by the pandemic, businesses and economies have suffered drastically. Specifically, the informal sector and businesses, street vendors and hawkers – and their future is feeble as cities open up with specific social distancing and hygiene norms. 

Since 80% of India’s economy depends on the informal sector, they are essential to our financial context – not to forget our cultural context as well. 

This International Design Studio aims to bring students and mentors across the world to understand and work on Indian market culture and how they can be rethought of in the new normal. 

Each participant will be guided by mentors across India and Paris, with multiple sessions and lectures on Cities and Markets, Urban territory and spatial configurations of markets in Indian context – through various case studies and field exercises that can easily be taken from home.