American-designed shopping malls in China Charlie Qiuli Xue and Arwen Yingting Chen

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Xue, Charlie Q. L., author.

Chen, Arwen Yiting, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Shopping malls--Design and construction.

Architecture--American influences.

China.

Genre:

History

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Hong Kong HKU Press [2026]

Summary:

"China’s remarkable journey from poverty to becoming the world’s second-largest economic power is marked by extraordinary urban growth and consumption capacity of its urban population. Central to this development fervor are multifunctional commercial complexes and shopping malls, now key features of modern urban districts. The concept of shopping malls, originally introduced to China by American architects in the 1980s, has since flourished on an even larger scale than their American counterparts.This book delves into the origins of shopping mall development in the United States after World War II, tracing how American architects exported this building type into China’s rapidly evolving urban landscapes, particularly in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Kunming, and Guangzhou. Using primary sources, statistical analyses, and illustrated case studies, the book explores the evolution of shopping malls as a consequence of China’s profound economic, social, and cultural change over the past four decades. The book also highlights the impact of American consumerism on the everyday lives of Chinese people, altering not only consumer patterns but also local architectural practices. This tale of transformation is essential reading for anyone interested in China’s rapid urban development"-- JSTOR

Contents:

Importing American shopping malls

A panorama of American-designed shopping malls in China

The birth of shopping malls in China : 1980-1993

Urban renaissance : Crafting China’s modern retail ecosystem, 1994-2008

The leap stage from increment to surplus : 2009-present

Conclusion : Transnational vision and cultural synthesis

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references

Online resource; title from PDF title page (JSTOR, viewed April 28, 2026)

Other Format:

Print version Xue, Charlie Q. L. American-designed shopping malls in China

ISBN:

9789888900404

9888900404

OCLC:

1587228707

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license