Social node of C.R.Park - Market No.

INTRODUCTION
"All the center's are places of action, places where particular activities and social interaction
take place". Schools Norberg. Social nodes are the places where people gather and interact
with each other. A social node is first and foremost a public space where people orientate
themselves with the community. Example street, parks, plazas, and market, etc. Markets are
often key sites of public space, offering opportunities for local economic development and
employment, as well as opportunities for social interaction and connection, social inclusion,
the mingling of different cultures, and building a sense of local community. Interest is
growing in using markets as a focal point for local regeneration and community initiatives,
but to date little is known about why some markets succeed socially and others do not.
This project:
Identify the elements of the social realm
Study the user profile of the market
Explore the market activities
Study the relevance between the neighborhood market and shopping malls.

CASE STUDY AREA

The neighborhood market in C.R Park, which is an EPDP Bengali colony located in South
Delhi. Market no. 1 is the most active and visited places in C.P park. The southern area of
Delhi has good potential for attracting users to markets where a mixture of shopping malls,
district centers, and markets is found. Market no. 1 was reconstructed by the DDA in 2004.
Shops were allotted to 150 shop owners.

MARKET NO. 1 AS A SOCIAL NODE

The marketplace functions as social spaces in different ways, varying between sites and
between different social groups. The diversified neighborhood makes the location more
inclusive to all users. Organic market growth and access to the market have encouraged the
resident to visit the market on a regular basis. The two most important physical attributes for
markets to succeed as spaces for social interaction were a tea stall and food vendors and
the place for people to sit down. The outward-facing of the shops attracted people to the
market as it was accessible from the three sides. The borders of the market were guarded
and constructed by the wall where one would feel safe. The level difference in the market
has encouraged people to have different perspectives on the market. The natural elements
found in the market help people protect themselves from the harsh heat of Delhi in summer
and the space for cold winters. The location of the fish market at the backside of the market
area restricts the unpleasant feeling to the visitors. The social life of vendors played a
significant role in creating a vibrant atmosphere, and in forging social ties in the community,
especially in the fish market in the study area. Interactions between visitors and buyers were
also a crucial part of social life, particularly for the elderly who regularly visited the markets
and temple for the pleasure of these relationships. The market is the site of social interaction
for all groups - even younger people, despite a common perception that they have
disappeared from markets that have been spotted in the market no. 1 enjoying Carrom and
street food. The marketplace is also an important social space for families with children,
different communities that come here to enjoy street food from a different culture. Since the
neighborhood of these markets is Bengali we can see the culture of Bengal and Delhi getting
tangled and creating interesting experiences for the visitors.
 RELEVANCE OF MARKET NO. 1 (NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET) COMPARED TO CITY
WALK MALL (SHOPPING COMPLEX)
The CITY WALK mall in Saket, Delhi is approximately 3.5 km from Market No. 1 The area of
the shopping center is comparatively 3 times the area of the market. The mall is accessed by
the demarcated entries with the help of security which acts invisible barrier for the weaker
section of the community, whereas the Market no. 1 is open for all the users and encourage
them to get engaged with the surrounding. Inclusiveness and cooperative relationships in
the neighborhood market is more and more efficient than the mall. The variation in activities
encourages all age groups to engage in the market area, while the shopping center only
attracts people for shopping activities.

CONCLUSION
The location with diversity in the no. 1 market area is ideal and unique to make the place a
success. The natural development of the market has encouraged more people to get
involved in the surroundings with no restrictions. A homogeneous community around the
market makes the place more dynamic and different from other public places with a touch to
their cultural activities such as Adda. The temple next to the market engages the elderly in
the public space together with the younger group to connect to the culture. The older people
were engaged in market no. 1 instead of the attractive aesthetic shopping center. Informal
vendors and street vendors change the color of the market differently at night with a variety
of Bengali and Punjabi food. Market No. 1 is more porous than a nearby walking mall
because the market has given the pure meaning of “public space”. Their differences in
management, and the activities of the neighborhood market and shopping center clearly
show how organic market growth is most preferred by people.