Mapping of Traditional Marketplaces in Bandung, Indonesia

Traditional marketplaces are currently declining in numbers and state. Plenty of traditional marketplaces, particularly in the Bandung area of Indonesia are closing or on the verge of bankruptcy due to poor management and diminishing numbers of visitors to the marketplaces. This study aims to address and lists all of the remaining traditional markets in Bandung, Indonesia along with a report on its current conditions. This study has managed to record and map 40 (forty) traditional marketplaces in Bandung, Indonesia. Documentation of most of the remaining traditional marketplaces in their current state is also being performed. The findings suggested that although the numbers of traditional marketplaces in Bandung, Indonesia are still plenty, with a population vs. traditional marketplaces ratio of 60.000:1, with its current shape and order, the number of traditional marketplaces is prone to reduction and extinction in the future. Traditional marketplaces as one of the local culture and heritage identity of an area should be preserved. This study is one of the pioneer studies to list and locate traditional marketplaces in Indonesia, particularly in the Bandung area. In parallel with this study, the authors also have started to conduct analyses to identify the factors that affect the traditional marketplaces' decay. It is expected that these research findings will be useful for the stakeholders to monitor and take precautionary or active actions to save traditional marketplaces in Bandung, Indonesia.