The morphological sense of commerce: theoretical review and lessons learned in four Portuguese medium sized cities

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2014

Authors

Saraiva, Miguel Marinho (Author) FLUP; Pinho, Paulo (Author) FEUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: ISUF 2014: Our common future in Urban Morphology / 21st International Seminar on Urban Form

Pages: 1307-1321

21st International Seminar on Urban Form: ISUF 2014

Porto (FEUP), 3 to 6 July 2014

Other information

Abstract (EN): Shopping has been considered the principal wealth-generator of post-modern societies. Yet, two elements continually elude current theories and practices about the role of commerce on a wider perspective. Rarely is it considered an active agent in the structuring of the city and, furthermore, most studies have solely focused on the geographical, economic and social dimensions of shopping, neglecting its morphological dimension. Only in the last 10 years have authors addressed this perspective, although sporadically and presenting focused views, resulting in a lack of knowledge and, ultimately, in the lack of proper public policies. This paper aims to address the structuring nature of commerce and the influence of its morphological component. For that it combines knowledge from various fields of research and a large array of morphological variables at various resolution levels. Using as test-beds four Portuguese medium-sized cities, GIS-models containing commercial, morphological, structural and temporal variables were produced, explored and compared. Findings include i) the definition of commercial / morphological indicators, that can constitute values of reference or comparison for commercial policies and other planning studies; ii) the evidence that morphological, rather than statistical similarities generate, on the micro-scale, more commercial similarities; and iii) the main bridging aspects between commercial activity and the form and structure of cities.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific