This dissertation critiques, develops and applies a form of spatial semiotics, specifically topological semiotics, as a means of interpreting and analyzing the design, operation, use and ideological issues of West Edmonton 'Mega'-Mall (WEM) in the context of postmodern culture. Doing so promotes an understanding of the theoretical and analytical utility and limitations semiotics and postmodernism may hold for landscape studies, while furthering our knowledge about the design and social life of multi-purpose, indoor environments. Drawing from several key geographical concepts (landscape, place, placelessness), semiotic notions (icon, language, myth, sign, signification), postmodern issues (heterotopia, the crisis of interpretation, the linguistic turn), and empirical data (on-site observations, off-site questionnaires, secondary academic, government and corporate studies), the concepts of placial icon, simulated landscape and elsewhereness are developed to critique a "way of seeing" and explain what was viewed at the mega-mall. WEM's postmodern, heterotopic milieu of myths and elsewhereness is argued to collapse due to the mall's dual role as tourist centre/civic centre, making WEM an unoriginal, placeless, homotopic nowhere. Despite their theoretically overburdened and methodologically underdeveloped status, semiotics and postmodernism are shown to be useful catalysts for posing questions and initiating criticisms relevant to contemporary social theory, landscape studies and substantive social issues.

No description available.

Thesis (M. Hous. M.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes special report study entitled : Pedestrian movement system along Argyle Street. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

No description available.

"Shopping malls in Hong Kong are homogeneous, the operating mode for each malls are almost the same." commented by Hong Kong shoppers. It is being criticized that Hongkongers do not have choice when they do shopping in malls, the tenant mix in every shopping malls are similar, small and medium enterprises were asked to leave the malls after tenancy expiry, their space are then replacing by well known brands or chain stores. In this dissertation, one would first identify the extent of homogeneity of regional shopping malls in Hong Kong, selected shopping malls including New Town Plaza in Shatin, APM in Kwun Tong, Domain in Yau Tong and Cityplaza in Taikoo Shing are studied, by interviewing shoppers in those shopping malls, one would be able to understand more on their views in shopping malls homogeneity. Shoppers' views are important in this dissertation as they are the one who make the complain on shopping malls. The tenant mix, quality design, marketing and promotions, and customer services are important factors leading to success of malls. Being the shopping mall operators, in order to increase footfall and thus sale volume of their tenants, when tenants' business improved, they could be able to pay higher rent. In result, the income of shopping malls increased. In the second part of this dissertation, further analysis will be concluded from shopping mall operators regarding their views on shopping malls homogeneity and investigating the underlying causes for the homogeneity in different aspects. From shopping mall operators aspects, no one would be intentionally sculpture a mall which is similar to its counterparts. Operators aim at satisfying the need of their target customers so that they will visit the malls frequently. This intention might be the causes leading to the similarities of regional shopping malls as the target catchment of the regional shopping malls are larger, unlike neighbourhood shopping malls aim at serving shoppers from the estate nearby, more effort should be made in order to attract target shoppers. Finally, the concluding chapter of this dissertation provide suggestions for further studies in Hong Kong shopping malls, an unique retail environment which is far different with shopping malls overseas. Hong Kong shopping malls are yet to be improved so that it would offer shoppers unforgettable shopping experience, it is the responsibility for every operators, both public and private ones. In result, Hong Kong could retain its name of "shopping paradise". / published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

Hong Kong is a popular destination for Mainland tourists for shopping tourism, particularly after the introduction of Individual Visit Scheme in 2003. Recently, there has been growing tension between local residents and Mainland visitors in sharing leisure spaces such as shopping malls. There is a need to develop a better understanding of this host-guest relationship in order to maintain sustainable tourism development. This study is to examine shopping as a leisure experience in Hong Kong to have better knowledge of use of shopping spaces of Hong Kong residents and Mainland visitors. It is also aimed to analyze their perceptions towards shopping malls in Hong Kong, and enhance understanding of their mutual perceptions when sharing shopping mall spaces. It adopts social exchange theory to develop a theoretical framework which guides the operationalization of the investigation. Mixed methods, including questionnaire survey, in-depth interviews and documentary research are employed for the investigation. A total of 561 sets of valid questionnaires were collected in five shopping malls in Hong Kong and 10 personal in-depth interviews with both local residents and Mainland visitors were conducted. Significant differences were found between Hong Kong residents and Mainland visitors in various research aspects. Reasons for visiting shopping malls in Hong Kong were grouped into Culture and Novelty, Relaxation, Personal Growth, Socialization, and Utilitarian Needs using factor analysis. Utilitarian Needs was a common factor, and Hong Kong residents were also motivated by Socialization while Mainland visitors were driven by Culture and Novelty. On top of shopping, leisure and manifestation of cultures, shopping malls were particularly perceived by Hong Kong residents to be places for dining, gathering point and satisfying needs of Mainland visitors. Residents also believed sharing shopping malls spaces caused loss of loss colours and crowding problems while Mainland visitors stressed the role of shopping malls in tourism city although some interviewees acknowledged possible impacts in local community. In terms of mutual perceptions, Hong Kong residents were negative about Mainland visitors’ behaviour and crowding problems while Mainland visitors tended to be positive about local residents’. Perceptions were also found to have significant association with pleasantness of experience and change of perceptions. Contribution of this study lies on both theoretical and practical dimensions. Specifically it supplements tourism perception studies with a focus on perceptions of leisure resources and mutual perceptions in the context from a multidisciplinary and mixed methods approach using social exchange theory. Findings should also provide implications for both government and shopping mall developers, with regards to relevant policy making and business considerations for carrying capacity enhancement through balancing mutual benefits–between hosts and guests – in using local resources. / published_or_final_version / Geography / Master / Master of Philosophy

No description available.

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Detroit Mercy, 2009. / "24 April 2009." Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-95).

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.