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2003 Bachelor of Architecture
Freedom in Familiarity

Che-Wei Wang traveled to Walmarts all around the US to learn about urban sprawl and its relationship to big-box retail. The experience is captured in a blog.

Che-Wei Wang
Pratt Institute

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Jury
Peter Ellis (Chair)
Douglas Garofalo
Anders Nereim
George Schipporeit

For my project, I traveled all around the United States in an RV to document urban sprawl and its relationship to big-box retail (inspired by the documentary, This is Nowhere). My research and discussions prior to traveling formed an approach that I feel is most effective in documenting sprawl. My mediums are digital video and sound as well as photographs and writing. My hope is by interviewing local residents, I can get a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding big-box retail.

I’ve noticed in my conversations with colleagues, that my bias towards Walmart and other big-box retailers seems less ruthless. (My focus on Walmart is due to the fact that it is the largest employer in this country as well as the #1 Fortune 500 company. Walmart simply couldn’t be left out of a discussion on urban sprawl.) I think most critics of Walmart see the retailer as simply bad and seek to remove it completely. Today we are at a point where this country can no longer afford to wipe out what is perhaps the backbone of the working class. Critics must rethink Sam Walton’s vision which seemed full of potential in the name of the common people. His vision to help communities and small business has somehow reshaped our landscape into strip malls and parking lots. I think it is easy to say his vision didn’t carry through although his legacy of providing more for less has certainly remained.

What’s next for Walmart? As the population of anti–big-box shoppers grows, corporations like Walmart can’t afford to turn a blind eye to its critics. Retail as it exists today won’t remain forever, so it is up to us, the younger generation, to recreate the landscape as we choose to live in it.

Somf bachelor architecture che wei wang 02 2003

© Che-Wei Wang.

Somf bachelor architecture che wei wang 01 2003

My home for fifty days as I drove to Walmarts all around the US. © Che-Wei Wang.

Somf bachelor architecture che wei wang 03 2003

Empty shelves in a grocery store in Flint, Michigan near a recently established Super Walmart. © Che-Wei Wang.

I have yet to find a convincing argument for or against sprawl. Naturally I have a harder time being convinced that urban sprawl is good, although I have read plenty that make undeniable links to urban sprawl as a good or not so bad thing. At this point I do not have a clear objective. Part of the reason I am opening up the discussion is to gather focus on certain areas involving urban sprawl.


Che-Wei Wang

Freedom in Familiarity. © Che-Wei Wang.

Che-Wei Wang
Pratt Institute

Che-Wei Wang

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