Civic markets must remain vibrant places of commerce, identity, and community, following the example of Barcelona, Florence, and Nice . This is the message that emerged from the international conference "Markets & Cities," promoted by Confcommercio Sud Sardegna and held Monday at Cagliari City Hall with the participation of local institutions and representatives of some of the most important European markets.

"A day of discussion that produced a clear vision," Confcommercio reports, "markets are not just commercial spaces, but economic, social, and tourism infrastructures crucial to the future of cities."

According to data presented during the conference by the Cagliari-Oristano Chamber of Commerce, Cagliari Airport could exceed 8 million passengers by 2040 , compared to just over 5 million currently. "This growth requires a clear strategy: transforming transit into an urban experience, making civic markets a genuine gateway to Sardinia."

Cagliari Mayor Massimo Zedda opened the conference , reaffirming the strategic role of the city's market system. "In Cagliari, we have a variety of markets, deeply rooted in the neighborhoods and already attracting tourists. San Benedetto is listed in international guides. But the risk is distorting their nature by turning them into large restaurants . The challenge is to promote the sellers and publicize the products without losing the soul of the markets."

For Marco Mainas , president of Confcommercio Sud Sardegna, markets represent a strategic asset for all of Sardinia: "They are living spaces where culture and daily life intertwine. They are not just places of sale: they are strongholds of culture and identity that we must defend and revitalize."

Regional Agriculture Councilor Francesco Agus shared a controversial figure: " Today, over 70% of the products consumed in Sardinia are not Sardinian . This is the first area to invest in. Local markets can become the most visible place for the direct connection between farmer and table and the narrative of our food identity."

The president of Barcelona's Boqueria, Jordi Mas Velasco , called for the markets' spirit to be protected, even in the face of extraordinary numbers: 25 million visitors a year and 85,000 people a day. "The main problem isn't attracting people, but rather maintaining the essence of the market and the quality of the products." From Florence, Massimo Manetti of the San Lorenzo Market warned: "When so many tourists arrive, everything risks being lost. You in Cagliari are still fortunate enough to have a truly traditional market: protect it."

"This is a starting point. We want to calculate the real economic impact of civic markets and develop concrete policies to combat commercial desertification," said Emanuele Frongia, Deputy Vice President of Confcommercio Sud Sardegna.

(Unioneonline/ AD)

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