PLAZAS AND SHOPPING CENTRES -- PROVISION OF URBAN OPEN SPACES BY PRIVATE DEVELOPERS

Abstract

Land is scarce in Singapore. Its cost is high, especially in the 'Main Shopping' district. As a result, open spaces that run inside these areas are limited. There are, of course, some small parks littering the urban landscape, but these are few. The provision and use of plazas can do much to militate against this shortage of open space. Shopping, meanwhile has become an important leisure pursuit for Singaporeans. Besides providing for necessities, it is also a diversion from the routine of daily life. Indeed, some shoppers consider it a form of physical recreation since the urban environment provides little opportunity to exercise. Others still regard shopping as an opportunity for social interaction outside the home. This dissertation simply examines the use of plazas that have been incorporated into shopping centres and the extend to which these have become important recreational amenities in their own right.