ABSTRACT
The Central Market is a place of conviviality with multiple social aspects and a commercial space which is both old and modern, Tunisian and European. This market hall has a specific functioning and embodies a truly Tunisian lifestyle. Established in the heart of the ‘Ville Nouvelle’ during the French Protectorate, following the French ‘Les Halles’ model, in an ‘Arabesque’ architectural style, has been, since colonial times, among the most important urban institutions in the city and the country.
Considered by the inhabitants of the city as the first urban market hall of Tunis, where competitive prices, diversity of offer and early opening hours, continue to be appreciated. To rehabilitate ‘The Central Market’, contemporary planning and architectural approaches were combined with traditional methods, to modernize the functionality of its interior spaces, organize movement flows, upgrade the building fabric and its building services.
