Redesigned local food markets with social distancing in mind

Each market is divided into micro-markets of three vendors only, with clearly marked grids providing safe movement throughout

Spotted: Many of the world’s most vulnerable communities depend heavily on their local markets, rather than stores, for food and other goods. To help alleviate some of the financial and food scarcity pressure on poorer families and individuals, Rotterdam-based Shift architecture urbanism design studio created a hyperlocal market design that keeps shoppers safe while social distancing.

Any open-air market can use the design. Rather than congregating in a single location, the market’s vendors split into groups of threes and set up around the outside of a 16-square grid with a single entrance and two exits.

The rules of the micro-market are simple. Only one person is allowed inside a square with a maximum of six people inside the market space at any one time. Each vendor is allocated a square for taking orders and an adjacent square for shoppers to collect their goods. When possible, vendors provide packages, rather than individual items, in order to maximise the speed of transactions and allow as many people as possible to shop.

From virtual high streets to urban farms, Springwise has spotted a range of innovations helping prevent food deserts, strengthen local connections and keep independent retailers afloat during months of closures.

Explore more: Architecture & Design Innovations | COVID-19 Innovations