Platsens unika känsla

Ett köpcentrums kropp och själ

Abstract

Shopping centres look different, depending on where they are situated geographically. Each shopping centre has a history, from which it constructs a myth of identity. This article studies how "a unique sense of place" is constructed in Solna Centre outside Stockholm. This shopping centre was built on the place of an older town centre and its history is strongly connected with the suburb of Solna, its history and its people. The unique sense of place is constructed through certain themes: the architectural "body" of the centre is characterized by a precarious combination of security and excitement. The policy, image or "soul" of the centre is characterized by themes like family, home and popularity. This very last theme can be specified by the notions 1) congeniality, 2) authenticity and 3) accessibility.