The conclusion of our research on the Porta Palazzo market  

As previous posted Conservatoria is doing a research on the biggest outdoor market of Europe, the Porta Palazzo market. Following the interviews and surveys from the spring and summer period, we've return to the market in order to analyze the products, sellers and clientele situation in the months of September and December 2011.
In the autumn survey we've collected data on almost 130 stands, while in December on nearly 230 stands. These surveys pointed out the presence of seasonal products, like grapes, pears, apples, figs, peppers, tomatoes for the autumn period, and persimmon, apples, kiwi, onion, fennel and cabbage for the winter season.
New interviews with the clientele took place in September in the outdoor market of fruit and vegetables as well as in the farmers market, while in December they took place in the closed area of Porta Palazzo (IV and V alimentare). These interviews had the same structure (with open questions as well as multiple choice questions) and their answers were pretty much in the same frame as we previously noted.
All this material and the earlier data has been put together into charts, tables and chapters. Our research states the situation of the market, of its local products, of the clientele, of the operating hours, of the sellers and their needs and complaints and offers recommendations and best practices.
Porta Palazzo is now in a particularly difficult situation, with challenges to be faced and overcome in order to continue to exist. The market suffers because of the precarious economic and social area in which it is located. We've noticed that the sellers need to be supported by the institutions and that they ask for more flexibility from the authorities, that for a good percentage of the customers the quality is always sought after, being considered a priority. This market is popular and a cheap source of life, is the focal point of social relations.
Porta Palazzo itself has the potential to overcome this difficult phase if it is able to focus on quality, on its ability to become a tourist attraction and if it can be combined with a new management model in order the strengths its own tradition and to restore the link with the local context in which it is inserted.