A Study on the Conversion of Sustainable Spatial Complexity in the Declined Traditional Market - Focused on the Gyo-dong Market in Daegu

Abstract

(Background and Purpose) Traditional markets in Korea are declining due to urbanization and changes in consumer patterns, leading to reduced competitiveness against large shopping malls and online shopping. Stores struggle to attract customers due to inconvenience and outdated facilities, resulting in the contraction of local business districts and worsening job opportunities and living conditions for residents. To overcome these challenges and present new allure, creative strategies that blend modernity with tradition are necessary. This study aims to explore ways to transform declining traditional markets into sustainable spaces and proposes a spatial integration model to address these issues. (Method) This study focuses on the Gyo-dong Market in Jung-gu, Daegu, conducting a literature review on domestic and international traditional markets, as well as on-site surveys and interviews with residents to analyze the historical and locational aspects of the Gyo-dong Market. By establishing universal components of spatial complexity as resolution strategies, the design plan for the sustainable spatial conversion of the Gyo-dong Market is proposed. (Results) Through the spatial planning process of Gyo-dong Market, we explored avenues to transform the declining traditional market into a new, valuable mixed-use space. To restore the historicity and placeness in homogenized market spaces that have low connectivity and accessibility, initially, analyzing the target area connected to Dongseong-ro, we identified the need to revamp dispersed small-scale shops into symbiotic spaces. Our detailed master plan involves reallocating small-scale units within the target area, forming clusters to emphasize connectivity with the main pedestrian path, and transitioning each sector into commercial, cultural, business, community, and residential facilities, fostering dynamic and diverse spaces. Creating commercial, cultural, business, community, and residential facilities near the main pedestrian path promotes space activation. This plan aims to transform Gyo-dong Market and its surrounding small-scale shops into vibrant new open spaces. (Conclusions) This study illuminates various strategies for the sustainable transformation of Gyo-dong Market, proposing the expansion of the target area and the revitalization of scattered small-scale shops to foster symbiotic spatial conversion, thus rejuvenating it into a valuable mixed-use space imbued with historicity and placeness. The proposed spatial hybridization model for traditional markets in this study encompasses not only commercial facilities performing diverse functions but also cultural facilities that respect and activate local culture, community spaces that facilitate communication and interaction among local residents, and residential spaces integrating residential and commercial areas, thereby paving the way for sustainable local development in the future. Such comprehensive strategies are expected to contribute to the sustainable spatial conversion of the Gyo-dong Market and the economic revitalization of the local community.