Urban Community Public Space Assessment Through Social Cohesion Analysis: The Case of Baguio City Public Market ^†

Public markets function as commercial hubs and essential public venues that promote social interaction and a shared identity. This study examines the impact of spatial design, environmental performance, and cultural placemaking on social cohesiveness inside the Baguio City Public Market via three research topics. (1) What are the present circumstances of the market’s infrastructure regarding: (a) Market Layout and Building Design, (b) Comfort and Image, (c) Access and Linkages, (d) Spatial Flexibility, and (e) Socialization? (2) What kind of locations should be designated for a public market that functions as a key center for the local community, and how can the market be rendered inclusive for all individuals? How can the existing state of the Baguio City Public Market be enhanced to meet the public space quality requirements set by the Project for Public Spaces (PPS) and essential components of social cohesion? Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, researchers initially utilized space syntax analysis to assess market configuration, navigation, and permeability. On-site inspections, stakeholder interviews, and SWOT analysis highlighted significant physical and operational challenges, such as insufficient ventilation, inadequate signage, and crowded circulation, that hinder user comfort and spontaneous interactions. Subsequently, perception surveys using the Project for Public Spaces’ Public Space Index and the UK’s Rapid Review on Social Cohesion assessed users’ experiences across four dimensions: connectivity, social ties, emphasis on the common good, and psychological requirements. Finally, field data and thermal models guided environmental measures, including passive cooling, shading, and green infrastructure initiatives.

This research is innovative in its combination of quantitative space syntax metrics with qualitative cultural placemaking principles and environmental performance analysis to develop an Urban Community Public Space Policy and Framework designed for Cordilleran Public Market. Research indicates that inadequate spatial flexibility and ambiguous navigation impede social connections, but culturally relevant design and specific infrastructure enhancements may significantly promote inclusiveness, comfort, and a feeling of belonging. The suggested framework provides strategic, context-specific interventions to convert the market into a resilient, inclusive, and socially integrated urban center.