Posted by Paul Malo on July 02, 2002 at 17:50:22:In Reply to: Re: Demise of Pedestrian Malls-Competition - Enclosed Malls posted by Kevin Matthews on July 02, 2002 at 13:44:13:
Yes, the "Kleenex Culture," as Frampton dubbed it. There's a thesis topic for some of the students: conversion of Big Boxes. Quite a challenge.
One of our best theses was conversion of a NYC public housing project--not by demolition, in the Pruett-Igoe manner. but by infill to create a higher-density, mixed use environment.
Regarding the pedestrian realm, it's always been surprising that there has been so little recognition of varying climatic conditions. As mentioned previously, nothing is more absurd than the purported pedestrian mall in Buffalo, NY in February, with narrow paths plowed between dirty snow banks. It was characteristic of simplistic modernism to suppose that a single solution could fit all needs. But where (aside from the rather ideal climates of the Pacific Northwest) does the outdoor pedestrian mall work in the US? Those who live through the torrid Florida summer, like those who live through the frigid New York winter, appreciate the advantage of parking garages attached in climate-controlled indoor environments--or even of drive-up strip or big-box facilities, providing the car can be parked fairly close to the door.
I don't love Big Box retailers either, but Walmart has become America's largest merchandiser and Sam Walton the wealthiest man in the nation. Not everyone seems to abhore what he provides.
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