What you see is what you get! A Micro-distribution of the Retail Function and the Infl uence from Spatial Structure and Visibility

Abstract

        Many studies on retail distribution often concentrate on the locational network of big retail organisations, i.e., intra-urban retail location. This research attempted to investigate the distribution of the retail function in a smaller scale: the micro-distribution of retail premises within an organic shopping area. The researches applied Space Syntax’s spatial and visual study computer programme, together with an observation on pedestrians’ shopping pattern, and a retail-type survey. It was found that visual confi guration is almost as important a factor as spatial confi guration on the micro-distribution of the retail location for their successful business. The spatial and visual confi gurations work intricately. This leads to an indication of the existing locational preferences for the retail function, as found in the intra-urban retail distribution. Hence, there is some logic in the micro-distribution of the retail function.