Valet services, for example, are becoming an increasingly popular feature of malls. Landscape islands, medians, and interconnected pedestrian walkways should be part of the planning process. Ultimately, these elements will contribute to the overall aesthetics of a mall.
The evolution of mall architecture is a topic of debate in the United States, but Europeans may not be too concerned with the resurgence of malls. While they are often viewed as distinctly North American, malls are not exclusively a North American phenomenon. In fact, the first malls in Europe were part of ambitious architectural plans to accommodate modern notions of citizenship. In North America, however, the archetypal shopping mall was born.
The US versus Europe postwar redevelopments had different goals, stakeholder groups, and design goals. While European cities largely avoided urban redevelopments, the US's neoliberal Third Way politicians laid the groundwork for a massive expansion of shopping in newly privatized areas. Likewise, the process of mallification in the public realm affected museums, hospitals, airports, and train stations. And it didn't stop there.
In the United States, malls were a unique phenomenon. The advent of the internet and the explosion of mass consumption made malls ubiquitous. Yet, Europeans are not entirely concerned with the revival of the era of the mall. Many of the earliest malls in Europe were part of visionary architectural projects, designed to reflect prevailing ideas of modern citizenship. This is why the archetypal malls of today are so different. There is a lot of history and thought behind the evolution of mall architecture in North America.
In Europe, postwar redevelopments were much more complicated and less successful. It was not uncommon for a mall to be a 'third world' environment. After the Second World War, the US was the first to implement the concept of 'third wave' politics. The idea behind the mall was to make it more attractive to consumers. The building's interior had to be visually appealing. During this era, the interiors were also visually attractive.
Many people still believe that malls are not attractive, and that they are just an extension of the'second wave' aesthetic. While the interiors of malls are aesthetically appealing, they are not sustainable. The main objective of a retail center is to increase sales. Consequently, the interiors must be as attractive as possible. It is possible to incorporate green design into a mall. But the goal of these new structures is to promote a sense of community.
A new generation of mall architecture has emerged that features a variety of users. Its interiors should be designed with an element of surprise, which should be an immersive experience. The surprise could be part of the entrance or an outdoor activity. A good mall is a place where people can find something they want to buy, and a place where they can feel happy and comfortable. If it has this, it will be a memorable experience. It is also a symbol of community.