Survival of the Fittest
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SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST THE EVOLLTON OF THE COMhfERCWL LANDSCAPE IN NORTH AXIERICX FROM !5TREETCAR SUBURB TO MALL OF AMERKA AND BEYOND BY PETER T. SPEAREY A Practicum Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Department of Landscape Architecture Faculty of Architecture University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba O September 1997 National Library Bibliothèque nationale I*m of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Wbliographic Services services bibliogrâphiquss The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Biblotheque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distniute or seil reproduire, prêter, distriiuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic fomats. la forme de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protege cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. FACtZN OF GRADUAIT; STüDIES +++++ COPYRIGm PERMISSION PAGE A Thesis/Prncticum submifted to the Facdty of Graduate Studies of The Univeaity of Manitoba in partial fuiliilment of the rquirements of the degeee of MAS- OF LAmscAPE ARCBITBCT(me Petet T- Spearey 1997 (c) Permission bas bcen grnnted to the Libray of The University of Manitoba to lend or se11 copies of this thais/prnctieum, to the National Libray of Canada to microfiim this thesis and to lend or sel1 copies of the film, and to Dissertatious Abstracb International to pubiisb an abstnct of th& thesWlpracticum. The author reserves other publication rights, and neither this thesWpnctieum nor extensive estracts fmm it may be printed or otheriirise reproduced without the author's dtten permission. This study explores the evolution of the suburban shopping centre in North Amerka. The objective is to identie the factors responsible for the shaping of its constituent spaces, either for relaxation, gathering or shopping, and determine what. if any, value this might prouide in the consideration of future shopping centre landscapes. In its infancy, the shopping centre provided outdoor, landscaped spaces for the relaxation and comfort of shoppers. Increasingly, these spaces became internalized, offering ever increasing potential €or spatial and functional development This period, €rom the 19505 to the 1980's, was characterïzed by rapid standardization and simplification of the shopping centre 'formular. However, experimentation did continue and the process of standardization has left some interesting anomalies behind, ïhcoughout this period the shopping centre displayed a rernarkable ability to refled, assimilate and commodify larger social and architectural contexts. In the 19805, the shopping centre demonstrated its ability to reinvent itself, in cesponse to changing economic fortunes. Regardless of greater changes in the concept of the shopping centre, there has been evidence throughout its evolution of a consistent approach to the planning, design and articulation of individual spaces. The consistencies evident in the evolution of the shopping centre allows for an accurate prediction of its future, while its flexibility encourages a redefinition and reconceptualization of this future. To this end, the study concludes by positing seveal directions for the future shopping centre, as a means to direct further research and experimentation. ACKNOWLEDOEMEWTS A sincere thanks to the members of my cornmittee: Eduard Epp, Ga? Hildeman and Car1 Nelson Ir., for their guidance over the lengthy period of this study. Thanks also to the staff in the Deparhnent of Landscape Architecture- and especially Anne- for al1 of their help during this tirne. Thanks also to the Linivetsity of Manitoba for their generous financial support thmugh the course my studies- Many thanks to my Mom and Dad, fnends and colleagues, for their continued support and encouragement, and especially to Beth, whme patience has been often tried- and always appreciated. TABLE OF COWTENTS ACICiIOWLEDGEbfENTS. ................................................................. li -* . TABLE OF COkiEhTS ........................................................... .. ........ II~ LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS................................................................ v i 1. I W T 10 0 U C T I 0 M... ................. ...... ..........................*1 2. EARLY ORECEDENTS Concept............................................................................ 3 Shopping Villages ........................................................... 4 Strip Centres.............. .. ..................................................8 SubutbanDepartment Stores .............. .... ......................... 10 Glimpses of the Mall ........... .......................-. .11 3 . OPEH AIR REQlONAL CENTRES Concept.......................................................................... 13 Spaces ...................................... ......................................15 The MaIl........................................................... 15 Entry Courts and Forecourts................................ 19 Pedestrian Walkways and Parking Areas ........... 20 Architecture and [mage ............................................ 22 An &ban Alte rnati ve ....................................... 21 Class Conscïousness ........................................ 23 Sense of Place.................................................... 23 4. ENCLOSE0 CENTRES Concept................ .. .................................................. 25 Spaces ...................................................................... 27 Center Court. ....................................................-27 Department S tore Courts .................................... 29 The Matl .......................... .... ........................... 30 III 4. ENCLOSED CENTRES (continuad) Pl[ Se Architecture and Image .................................................. 31 The City......................................................... 32 Place and 'Other Place' ...................................... 33 5 . POSTYOOERN SPACES 9 Concept............. ,., ...................... .................................. 33- Spaces ....................................................................... 36 Center Courts .................................................... 36 Malls.............................................................. 37 Department Store Courts ................... ... ......... 38 Architecture and Image ................................................. 39 The PostmodemCity .......................................... 40 6 . PLEAduRE DOMES Concept......................................................................... 44 S paces .....................................................................46 Center Courts ......................................... ............. 46 Food Courts ..................................................... 46 Entertainment and Leisure Amenities .................. 47 Architecture and Image ................................................. 49 The Gentrified City .......................................... 30 Some Other Place............................................... 51 A Sense of Place ................................ ..... ............ 3 The Lureof Nostalgia .........................................55 7. CONTEMPORARY CENTRES Concept ....................................................................58 Diverging Types............................................................. 60 . Exishng Malls.................................................... 6û The TownCentre ....................................... 61 The Urban Entertainment Centre......................... 62 (Sub)urùanRevitalization ................................. 62 S paces ....................................................................... 63 Streetscapes................................................. 63 Forecourts. Plazas, Commoris............. .,. ............ 64 Courtyards........................................................ 67 Pedes trian Connections..................................... 68 7- CONTEMPORA~YCENTRES (eontinued) page The Potential of the Parking Lot,........................ 68 Architecture and Image.................................................. 69 Collage City...................................................... 69 Historicism ........................................................ 71 A Sense of Place ....................... .-. .................... 73 The Artistic.. ..................................................... 75 8 . CONCLUSIOW: A REAL FUTURE.................. 78 A New Vision ................................... .... 79 .A 'Jew (Sub)urban Type.............................................. 83 New Spaces ................................................................... 85 .. Civic Space........................................................ 86 Connective S pace .......................................... 87 Recreational and Athletic Space ........................89 Contemplative Space ...................................... 90 lntegrating Ecological Fundion ........................... 90 The Po tential of Community Cadens........