Sustainable Food Strategies of Market Halls in Madrid. Urban Implications

Abstract

Urban food systems constitute a structuring axis of territorial organization, urban planning, and social dynamics. In Madrid, municipal markets have historically functioned as key sites of local provisioning and civic interaction. However, the rise of supermarkets, shopping centers, and online retail has precipitated a profound crisis, prompting the incorporation of new strategies aligned with sustainable food systems. Concurrently, civic movements and municipal policies—such as urban gardens, agroecological cooperatives, and sustainable food programs—have reconfigured the relationship between producers and consumers. These initiatives promote circular economies, responsible consumption, and urban resilience, thereby positioning food as a catalyst for territorial and cultural transformation. Within this framework, markets emerge as social mediators that connect diverse stakeholders and reconcile economic interests with collective benefits. Beyond their commercial role, they may be understood as instruments of regenerative urbanism and food equity. The article’s contribution lies in demonstrating how markets can be reframed as strategic food infrastructures at the intersection of city, territory, and citizenship.