Doc Roldan’s Blog: Writing on Writing

The centralized shopping center design is successful because it brings together communities among suburban, rural, and urban areas. Victor Gruen and Larry Smith point out that the name “shopping center” rather than “selling center” refers to the importance of the customer rather than the seller. By providing extras such as free parking and environmental pleasures, along with restrooms and a food court, the mall becomes an enjoyable experience rather than just a chore. The importance of the shopping center to communities vastly exceeds shopping, it includes communal activities and and other physical requirements. The idea that the mall provides the urban community with suburban necessities is logical because it provides a bustling atmosphere with forced social interaction with salespersons or other customers. The mall also includes places such as gyms, skating rinks, and other social centers, allowing people to network. Shopping centers allow individuals to open independent businesses, another aspect of suburbanization.