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Profile photo of Mattias Kärrholm

Mattias Kärrholm

Researcher

Profile photo of Mattias Kärrholm

The recent transformation of central squares : On the interrelation between retail, recreation and mobility

Author

  • Mattias Kärrholm

Editor

  • Daniel Paiva
  • Pedro Guimaraes

Summary, in English

In this chapter I trace a series of central and well-connected urban squares in Malmö and Lund, Sweden from the 1960s until today. It investigates how the squares have developed in relation to the practice of shopping and other activities during these decades and concludes with the discussion of a few more recent trends. Starting with the deterioration of the open urban markets, followed by the introduction of car traffic, cars soon dominated the squares until they were increasingly pedestrianized, first for the benefit of retail but soon increasingly for restaurants, events and recreation. During these years, all of the central squares have oscillated between shopping, recreation and transport. Here, I thus try to read the history of these squares together in order to sketch a more general picture of their evolution and relation to publicness.

Department/s

  • Architecture and Culture

Publishing year

2026

Language

English

Pages

19-31

Publication/Series

Wiley Blackwell Companions to Geography

Document type

Book chapter

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Topic

  • Social and Economic Geography

Status

Published

Research group

  • Architecture and Culture

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISBN: 9781394278626
  • ISBN: 9781394278633