Hong Kong is the 21st century paradigmatic capital of consumerism. Of all places, it has the densest and tallest concentration of malls, reaching tens of stories. “Mall City” editor Stefan Al and contributors Cecilia Chu and Stan Lai will explore the effects of this development in Hong Kong as well as architecture, city planning, culture and urban life.

Evening Discussion
Drinks reception 6:30pm,
Discussion 7:00pm,
Close 8:00pm

Hong Kong is the 21st century paradigmatic capital of consumerism. Of all places, it has the densest and tallest concentration of malls, reaching tens of stories. Hong Kong’s malls are also the most visited, sandwiched between subways and skyscrapers. These mall complexes have become cities in and of themselves, accommodating tens of thousands of people who live, work and play within a single structure. “Mall City” features Hong Kong as a unique rendering of an advanced consumer society. Retail space has come a long way since the 19th century covered passages of Paris, which once awed the bourgeoisie with glass roofs and gaslights. It has morphed from the arcade to the department store, and from the mall into the “mall city”- where “expresscalators” crisscross mesmerizing atriums. “Mall City” editor Stefan Al and contributors Cecilia Chu and Stan Lai will explore the effects of this development in Hong Kong as well as architecture, city planning, culture and urban life.

Cecilia Chu is Assistant Professor in the Division of Landscape Architecture at the University of Hong Kong, where she teaches urban theory, urban design and urban history. Dr. Chu worked as a professional designer in Canada and Hong Kong and research consultant for several NGOs focusing on urban design and conservation strategies. Her areas of expertize include history and theory of architecture and urbanism, heritage conservation, urban design and cultural landscapes. Dr. Chu’s articles have been published in a number of anthologies and academic journals. Dr. Chu earned her Ph.D. in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley.

Stan Lai is Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture at Chu Hai College of Higher Education. He is a specialist in urban morphology of historic market towns and buildings. Dr. Lai’s teaching focuses on sustainable design in urban environment, modern architectural theories and the history of Chinese and Hong Kong architecture. His research interests cover various architectural types ranging from walled villages, cha-chan-teng (Hong Kong-style cafes), shopping malls and cinemas, to multilevel transportation systems. Dr. Lai completed his Ph.D. at the University of Hong Kong.

Stefan Al is a Dutch architect and Associate Professor of Urban Design at the University of Pennsylvania. He has edited a number of books including “Factory Towns of South China”, “Villages in the City” and “Mall City”. Dr. Al is a practicing architect and has worked on projects including the Canton Tower in Guangzhou. He served as an advisor to Hong Kong’s Harbourfront Commission and Environment Bureau. Dr. Al holds a doctorate in city and regional planning from the University of California, Berkeley, an M.Arch. from University College London, and an M.Sc. in architecture from Delft University of Technology. (Moderator)