JWACA2025-003: Design x place-reshaping urban personality

Abstract

This article presents a design philosophy centered on transforming commercial spaces into vibrant public places through five project types: shopping centers, natural environments, transportation hubs, and public squares. Case studies include Beijing Wangfu Central (transforming luxury retail into urban street space), Hefei MixC (converting a sixth-floor rooftop into a free public park), and Tokyo Shibuya PARCO (integrating urban memory into interior design). It argues that urban renewal should prioritize human interaction and environmental engagement over pure commercial interests. The core methodology involves adapting design to existing spatial characteristics rather than imposing predetermined functions, thereby creating spaces that foster community and cultural exchange.