Module 5: Resilient Communities

How do Baltimore’s historic public markets, particularly Lexington Market and Cross Street Market, contribute to community resilience by fostering social connection, cultural identity, and economic opportunity - and how do redevelopment pressures threaten or strengthen that role?

Baltimore’s public markets have served as neighborhood anchors for more than two centuries, providing food access, entrepreneurial opportunities, and cultural meeting grounds. As sites of everyday interaction, they function as a form of social infrastructure where resilience is cultivated through neighborliness, shared traditions, and informal communication across diverse groups. Yet, these spaces also face challenges: redevelopment projects such as the $40M renovation of Lexington Market raise questions about inclusivity, affordability, and cultural continuity. By examining these markets through observation, interviews, and open data, I aim to understand how they reflect both the strengths and vulnerabilities of Baltimore’s resilience — and how markets can continue to serve as accessible, welcoming places that embody urban livability.