Page 40 - #189 March 2024

SPECIAL FEATURE - GLOBAL ARCHITECTURE & MASTERPLANNING

Adapting to New Realities

Retail real estate has undergone a tremendous evolution in recent years as the wants and needs of customers have
undergone major changes. These views are now being reflected in the design and masterplanning of upcoming and
recently completed global projects and over the next few pages we will take a look at a selection of schemes from
around the world.

t its base level, a masterplan should take the best of the management should cooperate to find a strong undertaking that
Aenvironment it will be integrated into and enhance, support and accommodates everybody’s standards. While it might appear to be a given
resolve the challenges that currently exist there. The masterplan can be to put thought behind the planning process, some don’t understand how
as small or as large in scale as it needs to be in order to address the accommodating the craft of masterplanning can be to any given venture.
particular issues at play and can apply to both rural and urban settings, The biggest advantage of using good masterplans is improved
this is the view of Base Architecture from their blog ‘An Introduction to communication. Because masterplanning is the initial step in the design
Master Planning’. phase, it outlines the entire scope of the project under consideration.
The article goes on to say that there are three main types of masterplan, Therefore, the lead architect works with the rest of the team, which
development led, landscape led and socially led. Development led means one thing – it greatly improves communication skills and project
focusses on the creation of new commercial/residential spaces; development success as a whole, explains DBF in their article ‘Master
landscape led provides improved biodiversity/habitat, creating new Planning: A Step-by-Step Guide’.
parkland and open spaces (for example by repairing and restoring former
open-cast mining areas) and socially led creates entirely new settlements Global Projects
through urban regeneration that targets areas experiencing deprivation. Set to open next year, The Buckingham is the first condominium
Meanwhile architecture, in an overall sense, includes key planning. to be constructed as part of the Grand Central Mimic District – a
From its origination, business proprietors, draftsmen and development transformational project in South Etobicoke’s Mimico Triangle in

The Island, Dubai, UAE
Architect: Brewer Smith Brewer Group
Developer: Wasl

40 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL MARCH 2024