I'm not sure that the intention to create a profit zone is applicable, but in Sydney there are three 'museum mall' zones. One is the Ultimo- Darling-Harbour area which includes the Powerhouse, University of Technology, the Australian Broadcasting Commission, the National Maritime Museum, the Aquarium, Sega World, IMAX theatre, the Chinese Gardens, the Entertainment Centre, the Exhibitions and Conventions centre and Darling Park (not yet open) Darling Harbour was modelled on the Baltimore Harbour Revival scheme. The second is the Rocks area, which, if you include Observatory Hill (quite a climb) gives you The Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Trust's S H Ervin gallery, the Observatory, the Centre for Contemporary Craft, the Argyle Centre, the Rocks Heritage Centre and various small public galleries, often of the crafts variety. We're not sure quite where to position the soon to be opened Customs House which will re-house contemporary crafts and display the Australian Museum's Indigenous and Pacific Islander collection, because it effectively joins the Rocks to Sydney Eastside. The Rocks area was developed as a tourist preserve after being the site of the first Australian green bans - which saved much of this fascinating area from demolition in the late sixties. Sydney Eastside is a museum mile that evolved naturally from initial tentative liaison among the institutions in residence, to a formal incorporation as a non-profit association (with an elected president representing the group who can negotiate with Sydney City Council or NSW Tourism or other bodies, but without great input from the various SMGs) Eastside is everything within a quarter K each side of Macquarie/College Streets, and includes the Opera House, the Botanic Gardens, the Police and Justice Museum, Government House, the Conservatorium, the Museum of Sydney, the State Library, Parliament House, History House, Sydney Hospital, the Mint, Hyde Park Barracks, St James Church, St Mary's Cathedral, the Great Synagogue, the Land Titles Office, the Art Gallery of NSW, the Australian Museum, Hyde Park and the War Memorial (all of these have permanent exhibitions or host regular events). Eastside has the best collection of venues, but having evolved without any planning, has less focus as a tourism destination and is not advertised as coherently as are the other two. So far, very little in the way of joint marketing/cross referential programs has developed, despite much talk. Hope this helps, Heleanor [log in to unmask] ---------- From: owner-museum-l To: MUSEUM-L Subject: Museum malls Date: Thursday, 27 November 1997 2:09PM I am looking for examples of "museum malls," - places in cities where museums (art, history, science, natural history), specialty sites (planetariums, aquariums, IMAX theaters), exposition centers, etc. are agggregated to become more attractive to the broad poublic than any individual might be separately. Some of those in larger cities come to mind immediately, such as Balboa Park in San Diego, the Mall in Washington, Lakeshore Drive in Chicago, the Cultural Center in Detroit, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Are there similar malls in smaller cities as well? What about any where museums are aggregated with for-profit attractions? Please reply off-line. Mac West Informal Science, Inc. [log in to unmask]