European shopping centre architecture in France and Italy

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Over the past 40 years, shopping centres have become integral to the European urban landscape, gaining significance from architectural, urban planning, economic, and social perspectives. This growing importance calls for a thorough analytical examination from architectural research. By comparing the shopping centre sectors across various countries, this pilot project aims to enhance understanding of their roles within urban architecture and structure. The research is structured in three levels: starting with a survey of 1,616 shopping centres in two European countries, it narrows down to 40 key cities with 645 centres, and finally focuses on eight cities with 124 centres. The deductive analysis examines key features at each level to identify constants—essential properties for shopping centre efficiency—and variables, which reflect adaptations to local conditions. This approach allows for insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by shopping centres. The combined outcomes provide a comprehensive overview of the sector from architectural and urban development perspectives, leading to a characterization of the building type in the selected countries. Scientifically, the study offers a methodology for comparing other European nations, while practically, it provides recommendations for future shopping centre projects.