Municipal Markets in the Contemporary City: Governance, Proximity and Urban Sustainability

Municipal markets are increasingly recognized as vital infrastructures for contemporary urban challenges, rather than mere remnants of outdated cities. Within the frameworks of the circular economy and the 15-minute city, local markets facilitate daily food access, enhance neighborhood connectivity, and foster social interactions while optimizing material and organic resource flows to promote sustainable urban cycles.This article considers municipal markets as multifunctional urban infrastructure situated at the intersection of circular economy strategies, proximity-based urbanism, and governance models. Based on an extensive review of international scientific literature, it analyses how markets can support short food supply chains, waste reduction, neighbourhood accessibility and everyday sociability, while identifying important risks such as gentrification, touristification and functional decharacterisation. Special attention is given to governance arrangements, comparing public, private, community and hybrid models, and assessing their ability to balance economic viability with social and environmental objectives.The article proposes a hybrid governance structure based on public ownership but also involving participatory management, multifunctional programming, territorial integration and adaptive learning. It argues that, when properly governed, municipal markets can function as urban commons and strategic nodes within broader sustainability transition processes, contributing to more inclusive, resilient and proximity-oriented cities.