How To: Makeovers for Struggling Malls

Lean Urbanism recently released a "lean" guide to sprawl repair—focusing on how to bring struggling shopping malls back to life.

1 minute read

March 26, 2016, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


End of the Mall

Nicholas Eckhart / Flickr

David Friedlander introduces "one of the more clever mall retrofits we’ve seen," urban planning firm Duany Plater-Zyberk's proposal for the Oak Hollow Mall in High Point, North Carolina.

According to Friedlander, the proposal would have turned the mall into "a mixed-use, small-business village to be known as 'Inc.Pad.'"

"The mall itself would be turned into artisan workshops and storage. Some stores would be turned into residential and work studios, and the food court would be converted into a certified kitchen and culinary institute," writes Friedlander.

For a detailed account of the project, check out the original post on the Lean Urbanism website, written by Galina Tachieva. Tachieva also includes a list of recommendations for how communities should approach a retrofit of underperforming commercial properties.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016 in Lean Urbanism

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 7, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

October 2, 2026 - Baltimore Sun

A rendering of the waterfront development, which shows a lit-up stage by the waterfront and people walking about.

Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment

Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.

October 2, 2026 - ABC 7

The U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner and President Donald Trump at a press conference.

HUD, USDA agree on framework to simplify housing environmental review standards

Their agreement is a requirement of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

October 7 - Smart Cities Dive

Two hands install a water pipe in red dirt.

Cost of water rising at a faster pace than inflation, median household income

California and Maryland residents have seen their water bills grow especially high.

October 7 - Inside Climate News

A residential street with apartments in NYC.

NYC building owners overwhelmingly comply with new emissions limits

The New York City Department of Buildings is fining owners who did not file emissions reports.

October 7 - Smart Cities Dive

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.