fermento-lab

Berlin |

Q: How can we protect urban markets authenticity from social media virality?
A: Let’s start being more in the present and turning smartphones off.

Last weekend I visited the covered market “Markthalle Neun” in Kreuzberg Berlin: what an amazing experience!

The covered market looked just like a lively street market full of sensorial hints, from delicious German pastries to fresh Mediterrean salads.
The combination of selling stands, food kiosks and shops supported by sitting areas created a cozy atmosphere, making the choice of food and drinks playful.

Beside my personal hype for markets, I felt this market still as an authentic local place but there was a palpable hipster smell, which might transform it into a social media hotspot in the coming years.

P.S. Special thanks to my dear friend E. for showing me her city without makeup.

Place: Markthalle Neun.
Address: Eisenbahnstraße 42, 10997 Berlin, Germany.
City: Berlin, Germany – District: Kreuzberg.

Day of the week: Saturday
Month: May
Temperature: 20° C
Weather: Sunny

References:

. MARKTHALLE NEUN
https://markthalleneun.de/

. MANTI BERLIN, Turkish food
https://www.instagram.com/manti.berlin/

. GOLDMOND BAKERY, German small bakery
https://goldmondbakery.com/

. WILLA, Design shop
https://www.willaberlin.com/

Amsterdam |

Q: Is plint programming more important than urban design?

As soon as the sun shines in Amsterdam, there is one thing happening for sure in the city: people queing for ice-cream in front of Massimo Gelato!

While urban designers are busy looking for the perfect spatial layout to turn the public realm into a popular place, food vendors activate public space at eye level for real.

Small food places, in fact, attract many users for low budget and bring them to places they would never visit otherwise.
Moreover food vendors often work in synergy with the urban context around them, in the case of Massimo Gelato De Pijp: urban park Sarphatipark and street market Albert Cuypstraat.

Note: Good gelato makes spaces popular.