Author Paco Underhill's new book looks at the effects of psychology on the shopping experience.
In his latest work, anthropologist Paco Underhill examines how consumer centers both dictate and follow shopper's desires. In terms of mall design, the author discusses the role of the private sphere as a public space, the selective exclusion of 'unwanted elements' through transportation, and both the liberating and confining aspects of merchandizing. As for the future, Underhill thinks American malls are trailing Japanese models, which feature libraries, galleries, and wide scale access. As baby-boomers age, the author says that "malls are not going to be the slam-dunk proposition...they were 25 years ago."
Thanks to Jeffrey Goodman
Read the full story: Malls thrust under a microscope
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Malls are becoming the midtowns of the future
Mall and office park redevelopments are a generational opportunity to create new nodes of urbanity.
NYC breaks ground on anti-flooding infrastructure project
New York City's new system will reduce stormwater flows to local sewers by 90%.
One Kentucky town’s secret to affordable housing
The Smoketown Community Land Trust has already built seven affordable homes for community members.
Houston gains petal-shaped cooling infrastructure to make streets more ‘delightful’
The city has installed the pavilions along 15 blocks in Houston.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority