Architectural and mental background of the high street. The case of Świdnicka Street in Wrocław

Michał Dębek

doi:10.5277/arc170204

Abstract

This article presents the results of six image and social function studies of Świdnicka Street. Cross-sectional, qualitative and quantitative studies, including the method of cognitive mapping, were attended by 292 respondents. The group included the inhabitants of Wrocław, temporary residents of the city and entrepreneurs associated with the street, running shops and providing services. My exploration of the sources and probable physical foundations of the image of the street was inspired by the concept of the image of the city developed by Kevin Lynch, and pattern language of Christopher Alexander and his team. It turned out, among other things, that Świdnicka Street is lacking particular urban and architectural structures that are prerequisite for the proper functioning of a high street, and that the good image of the street is not strongly associated with trade and services. Renoma, the leading and most attractive shopping mall and ex-department store of Świdnicka Street, was also most frequently cited by respondents as the only element of the street unambiguously metropolitan and commercial in character.