The Importance Of Shopping In Public Spaces

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Recommended: Globalization and its impact

Supporting these redevelopments is the intense shopping trend that has affected most parts of the world. Shopping is both the common denominator and the public face of these globalization projects: everyone can “buy into” the symbolic economy, pursuing their private dreams in public spaces. These new, mixed-use shopping developments are consumption spaces where urban residents can act as modern – or global – consumers and display their savvy and wealth. (World urban forum, 2004) With globalization come new forms and cultures, as well as an infusion of new and old cultures in the cities. The emergence of these new trends leads to what can be called “consumption spaces”, areas witness to a culture of amplified shopping. While these spaces are in today’s world a sign of …show more content…

It is something that is being felt before it is understood. He continues by suggesting that architecture, design and layout of the place draws attention. And seduction is a mode of power here that works through curiosity. Yet the degree of this drawing in is also controlled and different in various spaces (Allen, 2006). Walking in the shopping streets of my case study, there are times that one feels the choices and options are restricted, and possibilities are to a certain degree excluded through ambient qualities. Although it is not clear to what extent the corporate multinational firms have become aware of the amount of control of a space that can be gained through ways other than hard edges or other forms of exclusion, I do agree with Allen on the fact that nowadays public spaces involve inclusion through an obscure form of power that restricts your choices and option by a certain degree (Allen, 2006). 3.5.2 Pedestrian

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