Rural markets and space dynamics in urban Sudan : the case of Suq Hilaat Kuku in Khartoum North

الملخص EN

This research objects to show transformations of structure and functions of Suq Hilaat Kuku, which was a rural market coincided with the rural economy of western limit of the Butana plain, as due to space dynamics.

The research adopted the analytical approach and used expert-observation, interviewing, and firsthand experience of the author’s living there for more than two decades, and GIS analysis of relevant maps as sources of data.

The Suq has transformed from mere a small rural market to an urban- rural market with the dominance of the urban services and emergence of new axes to its close geographic neighborhood coincided with space to accommodate rapid residential growth, demand for urban services, and wide agricultural investment.

Area development will make continual challenges to Suq Hilaat Kuku where strategies and policies of market area planning are required.

There should be a response to the worldwide trends to conserve some parts of such historic rural markets per se while keeping it working within modern urban markets.