Shopping Mall Review Essay

Introduction

In urban planning, the government has designed and renewed many buildings, such as residences, shopping malls, libraries, etc., to make the city a famous one in Asia.

Among shopping malls is a landmark in the community, providing residents with retail and commercial cores capable of serving. As the economy develops, these shopping malls use a mixed-use style of design. These types of buildings have brought about influence on the community, providing more value to buildings. At the same time, mixed-use buildings offer a range of desirable civic facilities.

In retrospect, Hong Kong had different kinds of shopping malls in communities before the 1990s; most retail stores were popular with Hong Kong people. From now on, we have realized the problem of updating shopping centers. Different cultures and technologies with globalization are entering, and extensive retail stores open stores in malls, such as H&M, ZARA, etc. After renewing shopping malls, social planning has to be changed. For those products and rents, most local stores or homes take time to get used to.

In the past, we usually bought something face-to-face in the shop; it could ensure the product quality and build relationships with a shopper, which increased trust between you and the other person through different body language. For now, we all realize that consumption patterns have changed, and most users use online payments.

Some online shopping platforms are popular with HK people, such as Taobao, eBay, etc.

Although it can reduce unnecessary time, the shopping culture will be missing.

As this society progresses, many buildings and cultures are changed. Different new things are going on in the urban areas; this new element is not surely suitable for everyone. The government cannot make sure the new things will be better than the original since everyone's standards are different. If 30 years later, someone asks about the original culture, we cannot answer it. This issue makes society worry.

Definition & History of the Shopping Mall

“The first shopping mall “Bloomingdale,” designed by Lyman and Joseph Bloomingdale, was founded in 1872 and is also where the department retail concept began around the 20th century. In 1877, John Wanamaker opened “The Grand Depot,” which is a six-story round shopping mall in Philadelphia.” (Bellis, 2018.)

“In the 19th century, when architect Victor Gruen took the ride in Michigan, he saw most of the suburbs were shabbier and different ugly retail and developments in the community. Almost every tower center was affected, which was missing some basic functions and services; most citizens could not solve their daily needs. Some of the citizens moved to the suburbs; they still wanted to shop in the market.” (John, 2015) Faced with this issue, Victor Gruen suggested building a small-scale shopping mall in the suburbs, which could solve different inadequacies.

A shopping center called a mall or plaza, would provide different products, and services for people. “The shopping mall is an independent retail store by management, which has restaurants, banks, and other establishments. The shopping mall is generally for a neighborhood, regional scope, or community. Some smallest types usually focus on the supermarket, such as a dry cleaner or laundry. This mall can serve 2500 to 40,000 citizens in a six-minute drive. Also, most large-scale shopping malls contain the above services, such as medium-sized stores or common retail, and focus on supermarkets. This mall can serve 40,000 to 150,000 citizens.” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016) When the designer plans the mall, it needs to consider the feasibility of the community, and how to support the mall, including adequate vehicle access, the site size, and terrain. “The shopping mall is just a community center at that time, where citizens can gather for shopping, social activity, and cultural events.” (Gruen & Smith, 1960)

“A shopping mall has gathered different retail places, which would be a pedestrian zone or a unique pedestrian street; it allows shoppers to walk in the mall without vehicle traffic. A lot of UK shopping centers are located in the city center, and they are built in the old shopping district of the street.” (New World Encyclopedia, 2015)

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The emergence of the shopping mall brings convenience to residents; it has gathered different elements in this place. The function of the shopping mall no longer focuses on shopping; it has to provide public and activity space in the center. To increase different shop types in the shopping mall, which has changed the layout of floors, such as APM, IFC mall, etc. As this generation progresses, most shopping malls have built a covered bridge area for the user; it can connect to MTR stations to solve some transportation issues.

The First Mall in Hong Kong

In the past, most of the residents mainly shopped at the market, where they could buy some necessities. The first shopping mall was Ocean Terminal, which opened in 1966; it was the most iconic mall at that time. The site location is near the ocean and a fish village, where people could visit and shop. As sea travelers climbed and local economic power grew, shopping malls started to change their consumer customers and products. The shopping mall provided 112 shops and a car park area for users. In this case, the mall designer found a good space for customers, which could better attract more shoppers to the mall.

“Hong Kong lacked shopping malls in the community at that time, which had already led the Japanese shopping malls to increase global value. The first global mall in Hong Kong is Daimaru (大丸), which the company Co., Ltd. (株式會社), opened in 1960. The Japanese shopping mall sold high-quality Japanese products, targeting high-income families. Among 60% of the products come from Japan, it led to most people's interest in Japanese culture.” (Hon Lo, 2014) At that time, the service of the mall brought out different payment styles, which encouraged more customers to shop. After a few years, it used free delivery and coupons to change customer shopping patterns.

Almost in the 1980s, Japanese shopping malls expanded their business in Hong Kong. This situation made more people feel the global culture. “The Daimaru mall continued until the end of the 20th century. Almost in the 90s, Hong Kong experienced an Asia financial crisis; most of retail and economy sharply declined.” (Hon Lo, 2014) So, the Japanese shopping malls started to withdraw from Hong Kong. During this time, Japanese store sales methods changed local people's consumer culture. Through the global shopping mall, the public could understand the sales methods in the world.

Present Day Shopping Malls

Under globalization, most products and designs are going in; those shopping malls move to quality. Some global retailers have expensive products; they can use high-class consumerism to increase shopping mall value. Although retail stores provide good service to users, a good store design is equally important. The first impression is important for shoppers; some retail is focused on the shop façade rather than the product. These trends have spread to global issues, and the retail industry has lost the original value of the mall to earn more money.

As the economy develops, Hong Kong has built a trend of mixed-use buildings. “Mixed-use facilities can aid more greatly in efficiency; the land used is more efficient.” (Smarter Facility Management, 2017) Nowadays, mixed-use buildings try to group with entertainment spaces, which include living, working, and shopping into a community. ” When we look at these entertainment designs in these spaces, it increases the building value and revenue potential. Most people meet and connect in those shopping malls, as it is undeniably alluring for the people.” (Forrec, undated) A mixed-use shopping mall can provide more public space and improve the quality of the community. “Among mixed-use buildings have different types, such as vertical development, horizontal development, and mixed-use walkable areas.” (University of Delaware, undated)

To enhance urban development, most malls collect the hottest retailers in the town and become the global malls in Hong Kong. At the same time, developers realize parking is essential for shoppers, which can use a perfect system to change people's impressions of the shopping mall.

“Nine years ago, Hong Kong's famous shopping mall ‘Times Square’ experienced something; security guards chased away some protesters and buskers from the ground floor plaza entrance. At that time, some urban planning advocates took a close look at the mall land deed and found the ground floor was a public space.” (Christopher Dewolf, 2017) In Hong Kong, most shopping malls, to get more extra GFA, need to provide public space for people. In this situation, most citizens can gather and meet in different public spaces.

Water, shelter, food, oxygen, and clothing are essential for humans, but these are just the basic needs of life. Most products almost can be bought in the mall, which collects different retail and markets.

First, clean water and nutritious foods are more important in our lives. If humans lack those elements, it is difficult to sustain life. A long time ago, most citizens used simple resources to live; some necessities could satisfy their life patterns. Such as wearing normal clothes and playing cardboard games to pass their time. Nowadays, most necessities have started to move to high-quality products, those made by different companies.

As the economy develops, necessities no longer focus on basic needs but move to modern life. “According to a survey, a cup of tea, and a fast internet connection are some of the necessities of modern life.” (Mail Online, 2013) In this situation, original necessities are no longer valued; they have moved to a high-quality life. “For 60% of people, some necessities in life change with age. About 70% of people said that they can live without a smartphone, social networking, and a laptop in their life, but 60% of people found it frustrating” (Mail Online, 2013) 

What are Luxury Goods? “Luxury goods are not necessary for our lives, but they are important in culture and society. As citizens change their income, they will be more likely and able to purchase different expensive luxury goods.” (Investopedia, 2018) As the economy develops, most luxury goods get a status within society, such as Chanel, Burberry, etc. Those products have a famous logo in the world; the quality and value are at the top of the market. “Luxury goods can refer to services, such as housekeepers or maids. Some low-income families receive fewer luxuries, so this situation will distinguish between different income families in society.” (Investopedia, 2018)