'Great Markets, Great Cities' - the 5th International Public Market Conference -will highlight the role of public markets in reviving struggling downtowns and neighborhoods.

The New York-based conference coincides with proposals for a public market at the site of the former World Trade Center. The City Council, who are proposing the project, feel that a market would bring people to the site and serve as an amenity for office workers and residents.

Conference Director, David O'Neil, agrees:

"They're thinking in the right direction; how to create places where people want to live and work - places with energy. It's a lesson well learnt from cities such as Naples and Paris. People are readily seduced by a rosy tomato in a marketplace."

"It's something New York has been good at. With a city so rich in cultures, food, festivals, music and street life - we've been able to produce some of the best public markets such as the Greenmarkets, Chelsea and Grand Central Markets, and the historic market districts such as Gansevoort."

New York City Council is not the only group to sense the appeal of the marketplace. The conference brings together more than 300 heads of public markets, related parks and government officials, real estate people and economists from around the country. These people believe that markets create safe and inviting places, revive urban shopping districts and provide quality produce to inner-city residents.

Co-sponsored by the Ford Foundation, the three-day conference includes speakers, market tours around New York City, local food, and evening receptions at Grand Central Market, Chelsea Market and the W Hotel. Awards for the country's best public markets will be given at the Chelsea reception.

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'Great Markets, Great Cities', Presented by Project for Public Spaces

November 9 to 11, 2002, New York City.

Related Link: 'Great Markets, Great Cities'

For more information contact:

Harriet Festing
Project for Public Spaces
153 Waverly Place, 4th Floor
New York
NY 10014
USA

Phone: 212 620 5660
Fax: 212 620 3821
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.pps.org