Community and student groups met in Emerson Hall last night to discuss the proposed demolition of four historic Harvard Square buildings.

If the plan--put forward by the Cambridge Savings Bank, which owns the property--goes through, The Tasty might be torn down, along with the former Wursthaus, which closed its doors last July.

"A number of residents are concerned that the Square is losing its special character and becoming another victim of the 'malling' of America," said government department Teaching Fellow Peter F. Cannavo, who mediated the meeting.

Charles M. Sullivan, executive director of the Cambridge Historical Commission, said that the Square's unique character is what draws people back.

"I have a theory that many people fall in love with Harvard Square when they first see it and thereafter are committed to preserving it," he said.

"People go to Harvard Square to go to familiar places. There are not going to be any more familiar places," said Peter A. Haddad, owner of the Tasty.

Also at the meeting was Harvard's Green Party, a small student group which shares progressive social and environmental aims with the worldwide movement of the same name.

"We are trying to link Harvard students with events in Cambridge," said Kennedy School student John R. Stith a Green Party member who said he opposed demolishing the buildings.

Pebble Gifford, president of the Harvard Square Defense Fund, a volunteer organization "dedicated to preserving the vitality, diversity and workability of Harvard Square," also strongly opposed the development.

Gifford offered one proposal to preserve the character of the Square: Designating it as a historical district.

"I think the biggest argument in favor of making it a historical district is it's good for business," Gifford said. "I think one of the reasons people come here is history. Harvard is his- tory."

Gifford said she enjoyed the Coop more when it had regular women's clothing, rather than Harvard products.

"How many t-shirts can one student wear? How many mugs can you use?" she asked.

Gifford also acknowledged the objections business owners have to making Harvard Square a historical district.

"Property owners won't be able to develop to the extent they like," Gifford said. She said that as compensation, Square businesses should get tax breaks.

Other groups turned out last night to oppose the "mallification" of Harvard Square.