Development Approach for the Urban Green Market

Abstract

This research was aimed to study development approaches for the urban green markets which have emerged substantially within the modern urban contexts including residential areas and central business district areas. It was focused on examining social interactions between vendors and customers in terms of environmental-friendly green products and services, distinctive culture of flea markets involved with the individuals’ ways of lives and health-related activities.

According to qualitative method including in-depth interviews and observation, there were two types of green flea markets including ones developed themselves from the ordinary local fresh markets and ones emerged in office buildings. From the customers’ point of views, green products were defined as fresh agricultural products or least processed-products. By consuming these products, it illustrated the impacts of consumer culture (trends in health-promoted activities) paralleled with environmental preservation as well as conformity of the social norms as doing our bit for the society. Besides, the identity of flea market usually came from its unique products that might not be available in modern trades or department stores, prices that could be bargained or discounted and close relationship between the vendors and the customers.