Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The American mall, originally envisioned by architect Victor Gruen as community-focused mixed-use hubs, has largely failed to fulfill that promise. Today, over 350 malls have shuttered since 2005, offering us a rare opportunity to reimagine these spaces.

Let’s replace consumption with connection. These structures can become places of learning, creation, healing, and growth—centers of art, ecology, culture, and resilience. The Urban Ecology Conservatory reclaims these landscapes as modern temples of nature, education, and vibrant third spaces.

“Over the past five years, the U.S. has seen a significant decline in mall numbers due to the impact of e-commerce growth, changes in shopping habits, and the pandemic. Between 2019 and 2022, around 25% of malls were projected to close, with low-tier malls facing the most closures. By 2023, hundreds of malls had shut down, leaving the U.S. with an estimated 1,000 malls still operational, compared to about 1,500 a decade ago. The closures were particularly driven by declining foot traffic, the loss of anchor department stores, and the rise of online shopping. Some malls have managed to adapt by incorporating mixed-use spaces, but the overall trend remains a challenge for the industry.”

https://theweek.com/feature/briefing/1003385/the-retail-apocalypse