Wanqing Cao

A Productive Market as Urban Open Space

The proposal introduces a permanent component in the form of urban farming to QVM Market Square. It is the productive component of the assemblage of three parts: Meeting Place - Market - Farm. Located in the middle of the plan is a structure that accommodates an urban agriculture knowledge centre and culinary class. The centre educates the public on planting strategy and also the agriculture history of the city. The greenhouse doubles as a farming workshop. The Farmer’s Market facilitates the trade of fresh goods on the site. The corridor connection between the market and the function area forms the Meeting Area. It provides pop-up food vendors and outdoor dining space.

The farm area includes crops field, native edible garden, and the orchard is distributed near the residential area. The residents around the site, economic disadvantaged groups, and hobby farmers could come around to utilize the land. Harvesting festivals are held during the harvest time. The income is used for park management and public welfare.