A market with almost 150 years of history and at the center of urban life
He Santo Domingo Marketlocated in the heart of the old town of Pamplonais one of the old commercial spaces of the city, whose origins date back to the 19th century and which have marked the daily life of several generations of residents.
Located in front of the City hall and next to historic routes like the Camino de Santiagothis market has evolved over time, both in its offering and in its function within the urban community.
The neighborhood study and its main conclusions
THE neighborhood proposal is based on a study developed for months and open to multiple social sectors. The participants agree that the municipal decree which regulates the market It has not been updated since 1982, making it obsolete in the face of new consumption patterns, digitalization and the growth of tourism in the urban center.
The group promoting the report demands renew this regulation strengthen the role of the market as supply point for essential products and proximity, favoring Basic foods versus haute cuisine offerings or luxury products.
Gluttony and its effects on traditional markets
One of main concerns of residents and traders is the call “gourmetization”: the transformation of traditional markets into spaces focused on expensive products or intended for gastronomic tourism. This phenomenon, observed in other cities such as Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia, implies a general increase in the price of the offer and changes in the customer profile.
The promoters of the initiative associate the growing presence of gastronomic tourism in Pamplona At Strategic Tourism Plan 2023-2029 promoted by the city council, although they argue that it should coexist with a market accessible to residents.
Proposals for a more inclusive market model
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Adapt the municipal ordinance to support the commodity sales of daily consumption.
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Promote the presence of ecological productsseasonal and local.
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Establish a shared management model between the Town Hall, traders, producers and organized citizens.
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Expand social and cultural functions of the market with workshops, meetings and exhibitions linked to the neighborhood and the community.
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Explore more flexible schedulesincluding afternoon days, to meet different citizen uses.
Challenges and visions for the future
Although there is a consensus on the need to adapt the market to new consumption habits, it is also recognized that any transformation must balance tradition and modernity. For many neighbors, the The Santo Domingo market must continue to be a public service with social value rather than an exclusively tourist or gastronomic attraction.
The process of dialogue between the AZ community networktraders and municipal authorities continue, with the hope that the the proposals collected serve as a basis for a regulatory review and an action plan that recovers the community essence of this Pamplona’s iconic market.
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