Petty trading marketplaces are hubs for socioeconomic activities of urbanites especially the lowincome population. However, little was known and documented with regards to space dynamics of petty trading marketplace architecture. As a result, formal design and construction of petty trading marketplaces in Tanzania have not necessarily addressed spatial needs of petty traders. This paper analyses the resulting multifaceted spatialities of the marketplaces. Urafiki Ndizi Marketplace, which is an informally generated marketplace and the Temeke Stereo Marketplace, which was formally generated were studied as comparative cases. The study revealed that spatial character of the marketplaces reflects the dynamic needs of petty traders, which are entrenched in the socioeconomic realities of the urbanites. The marketplaces are not only places for economic transactions but also for social and cultural activities. The multifunctional character of petty trading marketplaces presents an opportunity to conceptualise design requirements and approaches in developing marketplaces in Tanzania context.
