research proposal assignment

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL FOR FOOD AND CULTURE (ARC3223/CLS60203)
Name​ : Lim Peidi
Student ID​: 0324272
Semester​: 5
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Title​ : Communities and Food Ingredients Purchasing Culture
Main Research Question​ : How the Wet Market Culture Adapt to The Rapid Growth of Supermarkets in
Developing Countries Such As Malaysia?
Case Study : Wet Market, Pudu
Globalization, urbanism and commercialization in developing countries, particularly Malaysia leads to
supermarkets revolutions. The increasing number of supermarkets has become a threat for the wet markets
in Malaysia. In order to make way for bigger projects, The Imbi Market had to relocated to ICC Pudu which is
a commercialized building which has lost its essence and personalization of the market. In contrast, Wet
Market Pudu is still standing strong and keep on expanding since 1956.
Pulcheria Chung from St Mary’s Canossian College says that wet market should not be replaced by
supermarkets as it gives us a freedom of choice. It is not just a meeting point for community but it also
shows a unique character of a place. It is important that the wet market culture need to adapt to the modern
world.
This case study is to identify how the layout of markets influence the food purchasing culture. Food
purchasing culture as in why people prefer to purchase ingredients here. Wet market and supermarkets
have completely different layout which gives out different essence to the users. Besides, the objective of this
study is to determine how the qualities provided in both wet market and supermarket affect the choices of
the communities. The qualities that I am looking into are comfortability of people and sense of
communities. Moreover, this case study is for me to examine why the traditional way of food purchasing do
not decline but keep on growing and become a special feature in town.
Wet market, Pudu has been chosen as my case study as supermarkets have become ascendent food
ingredients outlet which can be visited throughout the day in urban area such as Pudu. People still prefer to
visit wet market early in the morning for food ingredients purchasing. Stalls in wet market Pudu are set up as
early as 4am and communities start visiting the market at 5.30am. The crowd is continued until 12pm
Food and Culture (ARC3223 /CLS60203)

2. everyday. The strategic location of Pudu with dense population neighbouring area such as Cheras and Bukit
Bintang also one of the factor that attracts people here. The friendly stall owners, foreigners slaughtering
chicken and customers walking from stalls to stalls to get fresh ingredients reflects the unique essence of
Pudu Wet Market. All the activities happening in Pudu Wet Market are exposed to the eye of public. Hive of
noise, slimy floors and serious trading can be seen along the Wet Market. These intertwined relationship
allows wet market culture to be anchored in Pudu.
In short, Pudu Wet Market has become a distinctive scenery in that area. Its charm, hustle and bustle
becomes a great appeal for the visitors. The interaction between people has create a different experience at
that place everyday.
Methodologies that can be implemented in this research are mapping out the layout of markets, on-site
observation, literature review and interviews with the locals. Through these on-site experiences and
observations, we are able to understand more about the people and their food culture. These research will
be presented graphically with text description in order to capture the spirit of Pudu Wet Market.
References
a. (n.d.). Retrieved from ​http://aglobalkitchen.com/what-is-a-wet-market/
b. Rumble box: Wet market or supermarket? (2014, January 16). Retrieved from
https://yp.scmp.com/article/4425/rumble-box-wet-market-or-supermarket
c. Should supermarkets replace wet markets? (2005, January 16). Retrieved from
https://www.scmp.com/article/485908/should-supermarkets-replace-wet-markets
d. The supermarket revolution in developing countries :: IFPRI Publications. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://ebrary.ifpri.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15738coll2/id/10353
Food and Culture (ARC3223 /CLS60203)

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Food and Culture (ARC3223 /CLS60203)