Planning for Markets: Understanding the role of planning policy and management approaches in sustaining markets in London Rosita Aiesha Bartlett School of Planning University College London (UCL) MPhil Town Planning 1 I, Rosita Aiesha, confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own. Where information has been derived from other sources, I confirm that this has been indicated in the thesis. ………………………………….. 2 Abstract Over the last decade, there has been a growing interest amongst policy makers in the market’s potential role in contributing to solutions in key social and economic public policy agendas. In particular, Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres suggests that markets have a role to play in revitalising town centres and offering retail choice. To date, very little is known about the contemporary relevance of markets and specifically why markets have been prioritised in retail planning policy and received public policy interest. This paper investigates these issues further. Through a literature review, it develops a conceptual and contextual framework for understanding markets. It then draws on empirical research, i.e. survey and interview data from a study of London boroughs and a case study of one London Local Authority (Camden), to highlight the effects of current day-to-day management and planning approaches in sustaining markets. The research demonstrates that the contemporary role of the market is multidimensional, e.g. they appear to play significant roles as managed public space but also act as an important social and economic space, particularly for marginal social groups. Moreover, the empirical evidence shows that, whilst proactive planning policies do not guarantee a vibrant market, they can play a key part in protecting their permanent loss; however, equally important is the supportive management approaches taken in shaping their social survival. The research findings have relevance for the theorisation of markets in a contemporary context, as well as implications for the practical effects of planning policy intervention on markets. 3 Table of Contents Table of Contents ........................................................................................... 4 Tables ............................................................................................................ 6 Map ................................................................................................................ 6 Chapter One: Introduction .............................................................................. 7 1. Current Context ...................................................................................... 7 Rise of planning and public policy interest .............................................. 8 Lack of a holistic and contemporary understanding of markets ............ 11 2. Research Strategy ................................................................................ 13 Markets within the scope of this study .................................................. 14 Conceptual framework………….…………………………………………..15 Empirical research ................................................................................ 17 Chapter Two: What is a Market? .................................................................. 19 1. Defining Markets .................................................................................. 19 2. Key Components of Markets ................................................................ 23 3. Distinctions between the Market and Other Forms of Retailing ............ 27 Chapter Three: A Theoretical Conceptualisation of Markets ........................ 32 1. Markets as Public Space ...................................................................... 32 2. The Decline of Public Space ................................................................ 37 3. Regeneration of Public Space .............................................................. 38 4. The Core/periphery Dialectics around Markets .................................... 40 5. Everyday Life and Consumption ........................................................... 44 Chapter 4: Shaping Markets ........................................................................ 47 1. Historic Evolution and Development ..................................................... 47 Historic regulation of markets ............................................................... 49 Market designation ............................................................................... 50 Development of local government control of markets ........................... 52 2. Contemporary Legislative Framework .................................................. 55 3. Planning Policy Context........................................................................ 58 Planning policy rationale for the protection of markets ......................... 58 4. Role of Local Government Management .............................................. 65 Chapter Five: The Challenges and Contributions of Contemporary Markets 70 1. Contemporary Challenges .................................................................... 70 Day-to-day issues of trading activity ..................................................... 70 Major socio-economic and retail change............................................... 72 Specific challenges facing local authority run (LA-run) markets ............ 75 2. Contemporary Roles and Contributions of Markets .............................. 79 Social (Public Welfare) Roles ............................................................... 80 Economic Roles .................................................................................... 83 Environmental Roles ............................................................................. 85 Chapter 6: Research Methodology .............................................................. 88 1. Survey of London Boroughs ................................................................. 90 a. Desk-based internet survey .............................................................. 91 b. Content analysis of web-based survey of key council documents .... 92 4 c. The coding framework for content analysis ....................................... 93 d. Telephone survey ............................................................................. 94 2. Case Study of the London Borough of Camden ................................... 94 Key informant interviews ....................................................................... 96 3. Researcher Bias ................................................................................... 97 Chapter 7: Empirical Research Findings ...................................................... 98 1: London Survey Analysis ....................................................................... 99 A. How London boroughs provide support for their markets ................. 99 B. How Camden provides support for its markets ............................... 105 Summary of the London survey findings ............................................. 108 2: Case Study Analysis .......................................................................... 110 A: Background context for Camden’s markets .................................... 110 The Health of Camden’s Markets ....................................................... 113 B: An evaluation of the management (and administration) of council-run markets in Camden ............................................................................. 116 1. What are the forms of regulation controlling market-trading activity? ............................................................................................................ 116 2. How is the responsibility and co-ordination of market functions organised? .......................................................................................... 117 3. What are the key issues affecting markets? ................................... 119 Conclusion to the London and Camden study ........................................ 131 Chapter 8: Conclusion ............................................................................... 134 1. Conceptual and contextual framework ............................................... 134 2. Empirical Analysis .............................................................................. 136 3. Research contributions ....................................................................... 139 Role of appropriate conceptualisations ............................................... 139 Management solutions ........................................................................ 142 Role of planning .................................................................................. 144 4. Evaluation of empirical research ........................................................ 147 Bibliography ............................................................................................... 149 Appendix 1: List of Key Informants Interviewed ......................................... 164 Appendix 2: Interview Schedule ................................................................. 165 Appendix 3: Key Characteristics of Camden’s Markets ............................. 168 Appendix 4: Summary of Different Market Management Models ............... 170 5 Tables Table 1: Summary of Research Approach ................................................... 16 Table 2: Classification of Formal Markets.…………………………………...............51 Table 3: Key Governance Tools for Markets ...............................................