Local Food Markets as Human-Centered Hubs: Integrating Social Fragility and Health in Urban Regeneration

Abstract

Contemporary urban planning faces a complex convergence of challenges, including population ageing, increasing socioeconomic inequalities, and the intensification of climate-related phenomena such as the Urban Heat Island (UHI). These dynamics disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly older adults, calling for a shift from technology-driven models toward a more human-centered paradigm of urban regeneration grounded in equity and health. This study aims to explore the potential of Local Food Markets (LFMs) as human-centered urban hubs that integrate food access, social cohesion, and health promotion into regenerative urban strategies. To this end, a narrative review methodology was adopted to synthesize interdisciplinary literature from urban studies, public health, sociology, and food systems research. Relevant sources were identified through major scientific databases using targeted keywords related to urban regeneration, food accessibility, ageing, and climate vulnerability. The findings highlight that LFMs can function as strategic nodes within neighborhood-scale regeneration processes, particularly by enhancing walkability, fostering social interaction through “third places,” and supporting healthier dietary behaviors among vulnerable groups. Moreover, their role becomes especially critical under conditions of reduced mobility and thermal stress, where proximity and accessibility directly influence food choices and social participation. The study contributes to the literature by conceptualizing LFMs as integrative infrastructures that connect spatial, social, and health dimensions of urban life, advancing a framework that links urban regeneration with thermal equity, ageing, and food systems. These insights provide a basis for policy and design strategies aimed at promoting more inclusive, resilient, and health-oriented urban environments.