Another world is not only possible,
she is on her way.
On a quiet day, if you listen carefully,
you can hear her breathing.


- Arundhati Roy -

Monday, October 13, 2008

Thriving Malls

Shopping malls are among America's most well-used public spaces, but do they really serve our needs? In the future I see them thriving by integrating more fully into our lives in two important ways. First, they will broaden their spectrums of activity by adding residential space above the shops. Second, they will join with the surrounding neighborhoods by adding transit centers and replacing swathes of parking lot with open green space. With these basic changes, and the new patterns that will inevitably emerge from them, our malls will truly become centers of community.

See also: The Future of Shopping Malls: An Image Essay at Worldchanging.

- Ian G, 37, Seattle