PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

Traditional markets function not only as a centre for economic activity but also as a socio-cultural establishment. This research attempts to create a model of traditional market for cultural tourism in Surakarta. The study employed qualitative approach and several methods of analysis including spatial Analysis, category-based analysis (CBA), and interactive analysis. The result of this research supports the theory proposed by Santoso (2008), Jano (2006), Ekomadyo (2007), and Andriani and Ali (2013) that spatial planning of traditional markets is in accordance with the concept of cultural tourism, and it has the role as an urban catalyst towards the realisation of the city as a popular cultural tourism spot. Besides, the spatial planning of traditional markets can be considered as an effort to boost brand image of the city, both physically and non-physically, through RUCI model (Revitalization – Urban Catalyst - Improvement).