Sense of community aspects for public market : Pasar Kedai Payang, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu

Abstract

This research explores the sense of community in a public market, Pasar Kedai Payang. The need to sustain the sense of community arises because it is an important factor in strengthening the bonds within a community. Previous studies done on community spaces concentrated on neighbourhoods, residential areas, institutional areas and public spaces. However, studies on the sense of community among market users in urban markets are still lacking. The aim of this research is to examine the sense of community in a public market and how it develops in the community. The case study selected for this research is Pasar Kedai Payang, Kuala Terengganu, which is a public market that will soon go through a total redevelopment process. The research methods includes i) site inventory which covers the market spaces, its characteristics and current condition, ii) semi-structured interviews with the local authority, vendor association, community association, and market vendors (n=40), and iii) survey questionnaires with visitors of the market (n=497). Results from the research show there are four aspects that influence the sense of community among the market users towards urban public market, which are ‘the sense of belonging’, ‘participation and influence’, ‘community integration and fulfilment of needs’, and ‘shared emotional connections and interactions’. The vendors’ sense of community is largely shaped by the ‘sense of belonging’ and ‘shared emotional connection and interaction,’ where interaction plays an essential role in shaping the market community. Meanwhile, the visitors’ sense of community was found to be influenced by the ‘participation and influence’, where this aspect is rated higher than the other aspects of sense of community. This is due to the function of the market as a place for visitors to get local products and experience the local culture and market environment. Sense of community is meaningful in enhancing the community bond and experience of the vendors and the visitors in the market, and it needs to be continued throughout the market’s new development. This research concludes by recommending the four aspects of sense of community that can be adapted by the local authority and the market vendors to ensure that the market can continue to function as a trading space and a community place.