Shopping Centers and a City

Abstract

The main aim of this thesis is to study how shopping centers in Stavanger region coexist with the city, with special focus on the relationship between the shopping centers and the neighborhoods. In addition, the sustainability aspect is examined to this research in order to provide more comprehensive study. The problem statement relies on understanding how the integrated shopping centers relate to some aspects such as location, density, accessibility, sustainable transport, and to some extent, economy. In order to comply with these objectives, the development of shopping centers in Stavanger region with their classification is generally discussed, and then some specific shopping centers were selected based on their distinct aspects mentioned above. The discoveries show that the location and the existing neighborhood’s condition influence the relation between the shopping centers and the neighborhoods. The shopping centers in a high density and a robust neighborhood indicate more integration and sustainable than the other shopping centers in the opposite situation. However, city regulations may helps to reduce the risk of disintegration between shopping centers and the neighborhoods. This thesis concludes that shopping centers in Stavanger region have been attempting to integrate with the neighborhood and trying to achieve sustainable transportation.