Are shopping centers the new cathedrals of our modern era?
In short: This 1988 BBC archive film explores whether Britain's civic pride is eroding as public spaces are replaced by commercial architecture. It examines the shift from bespoke, high-quality design to mass-produced environments.
Architectural critic Jonathan Glancey argues that a sense of civic pride has crumbled into 'wilful neglect,' replacing historic public buildings with shopping centers he describes as the 'cathedrals' of our age. The film contrasts these modern developments against high-quality Victorian architecture and bespoke designs like the London Routemaster bus.
The documentary explores what this shift says about British society, questioning whether outsourcing public design to international companies or opting for 'off the peg' infrastructure diminishes our cultural identity. It features insights from prominent figures including Sir Terence Conran and Professor Derek Walker.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 1988: Are Our 'Common Spaces' in Crisis? | Visions of Britain | BBC Archive
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