Old Bus Depot Markets in Canberra, Australia

Abstract

The critical and theoretical book of Going Global Markets, edited by the Korean Studies Institute, regards the cultural and social significance of global markets in the contexts of regionalisation and localization: Montreal, Beijing, Jokkmokk, Tokto, New Delhi, Istanbul, Dubai, Canberra, Barcelona, etc. The meanings of space and time are interpreted through the concepts of history, size, arts, and purpose-driven encounter. The Old Bus Depot Markets in Canberra, Australia, as a case study, demonstrates the unique characteristic of an Australian local market through which one is able to understand the social identity of Canberrans. The aboriginal Ngunnawal term of ‘Kambera’ or ‘Camberry’ that connotes ‘a meeting place’, reflects the role of Canberra as the national capital city. As the Old Bus Depot Markets (OBDM) was formed in such a political and liberal environment, the hand-made market represents the history of a colonial and multicultural society. This article not only explores various types of authentic local products, but also argues that the OBDM is a symbolic place which shows the genuine local lifestyle of Australia as living space.