Abstract

Traditional markets, once vibrant cultural hubs, have lost appeal due to e-marketplaces offering greater convenience and efficiency. Their decline worsens as transactions remain manual and lack digital integration, making them less competitive in today’s digital-driven economy. This study formulates a radical placemaking concept to revitalize traditional markets, ensuring their resilience and sustainability. It examines spatial dynamics and transactions that enhance market vitality while integrating cultural and leisure functions. Using Pabean Market, Surabaya, as a case study, the research demonstrates that traditional markets can still exist and thrive amidst modernization and digital transaction technologies. Data was collected through naturalistic observation, including behavior and activity mapping, in-depth interviews, photography, and sketching. Additionally, interviews examine sellers’ and customers’ experiences with leisure activities and accessibility challenges, while observations validate findings by identifying transactionsocial interaction patterns and technology use. The data were analyzed using triangulation to ensure validity, supported by arguments drawn from literature review and precedent studies. The results suggest that revitalizing traditional markets requires integrating formal and spatial design strategies, incorporating architectural elements (paths, scale, proportion, position, lighting, color, and texture) while preserving their socially and culturally expressive atmosphere. This includes enhancing spatial experiences through architectural interventions while retaining the expressive social and cultural qualities of the market. The research formulates parameters for redefining the traditional market concept by blending leisure and transactional activities to create dynamic spatial experiences. The proposed design aims to reposition traditional markets as inclusive and contextually embedded leisure-based destinations.