An Innovative Cities Lecture
Explore how public marketplaces—from farmers markets to food halls, and many more in between, provide social, economic, and health benefits; they are so much more than just a market. Learn about the evolving ecosystem of market typologies and their implications for zoning and planning. Dive into a case study of a Milwaukee marketplace as an entrepreneurial incubator and hub for mental and physical wellness for both business owners and customers. Discover how municipal planning and zoning currently considers, and can better support, thriving marketplaces of all shapes and sizes.
Biographies
Amanda Maria Edmonds is a sustainable food systems consultant and researcher. She is a systems-change, big-vision thinker who translates ideas and values into pragmatic, on-the-ground strategies and policies. Edmonds founded and directed Michigan-based nonprofit Growing Hope for 15 years, improving healthy food access through farmers markets, urban agriculture, youth programs, economic development, and good food policy. Between 2014-2018 she served as the Mayor of Ypsilanti, Michigan. She served under Governor Granholm on the Michigan Food Policy Council, was a founding member of the Washtenaw Food Policy Council, and has been part of the Michigan Good Food Charter leadership group for 15 years. After living in London, UK from 2019-2024, she returned to Ypsilanti, Michigan and continues consulting, focusing on policy, evaluation, & strategy, particularly as related to markets. She is also completing a doctorate in spatial planning at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, researching municipal policy and planning related to farmers markets. She has BS and MS degrees from U-Michigan’s School of Natural Resources & Environment.
Kelly Verel oversees the Market Cities Program as the Co-Executive Director of Project for Public Spaces, an urban planning and design nonprofit based in New York. She has been with the organization since 2006, managing all projects related to planning, designing, and developing public markets. Kelly and her team have produced feasibility and business plans for the Boston Public Market and NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids, IA. They have worked with the Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver, BC, and the ByWard Market District in Ottawa, ON, to develop revitalization strategies and plans for these historic markets. Kelly directs the organization’s annual How to Create Successful Markets training and the International Public Markets Conference (2009, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2023, and 2025). Before Project for Public Spaces, she was on the administrative team at GrowNYC Greenmarket, New York’s largest farmers market network, and has a seat on their Farmer Community Advisory Committee.
AICP-CM credits: Nov 12th Marketplaces – AICP CM #9317004