Traditional Markets Face the Challenges of Modernity

This project documents the traditional market in my hometown, a place that has long been more than just a center of buying and selling.

For many Indonesians, traditional markets are social spaces where people meet, talk, build relationships, and carry on cultural traditions. In Magelang, these markets have grown side by side with the community for generations. But as times change, traditional markets are struggling to keep up. People’s lifestyles have shifted. Convenience and speed matter more now, and that affects where and how they shop. Modern retail chains, minimarkets, and the rise of online shopping and e-commerce have created tough competition. Many people no longer feel the need to come to the market physically when everything can be delivered with a click.

The everyday interactions that once made the market lively such as bargaining, friendly conversations, and the sense of belonging among sellers and buyers are slowly fading. My visual documentation clearly illustrates this situation. Some stalls are now empty, abandoned by their owners. Aisles that used to be crowded and noisy now look quiet and half-deserted. These photos not only capture the physical space of the market, but also represent the social and economic changes that are taking place in the community today.