What are some social, economic and environmental effects of shopping malls? - continue reading to find out.
As important facilities for commerce, shopping mall expansion offers a considerable contribution to the overall economy for both local and regional enterprises, by supporting businesses, creating work and increasing government income. Among these benefits, one of the most direct advantages on the regional community is the generation of job opportunities. Shopping centers are understood to offer employment in a variety of sectors involving retail, security, management and customer service. These jobs have been specifically useful for college students, part-time workers and individuals who are seeking first-time job experience. In addition to this, malls help the overall economy by increasing business activity, contributing substantial incomes through sales taxes, which can be reinvested to enhance public facilities and services in the local community. These essential financial effects of malls could be recognised by the chair of the parent company of Westfield Group, for example.
Although shopping centre expansion is often criticised for its ecological footprint, they can also be acknowledged for delivering a set of special possibilities for ecological practices and architectural opportunities when designed and managed with sustainability in mind. It is becoming more frequent to see new malls being developed using green building practices and technologies, including energy efficient lighting, water-saving technologies and renewable energy sources, cutting their environmental impact and saving energy any place possible. Some shopping malls might even consist of rooftop gardens website and green spaces to help decrease air temperature levels and enhance air quality. Additionally, by centralising a range of suppliers and businesses, many significant cities offer a range of shopping centres to visit, whereby individuals can enjoy retail, stores, dining establishments and recreation all in one space. This can help in considerably minimizing the environmental impact of transport, as individuals can fulfil many commercial activities in a single journey, which can cause fewer vehicles on the road and improvements to traffic circulation and transportation networks.
Shopping centres around the world have come to be an integral aspect of many modern societies. Both in busy metropolitan environments and quieter communities, shopping centers offer many essential social benefits. As an essential 3rd space, individuals tend to seek out shopping malls and communal environments as a safe and practical place to spend time and hang out as well as go shopping. Shopping malls are also identified for holding public activities, aimed at getting together the community, such as seasonal events, exhibitions and performances. Along with this, most malls are deliberately developed to be available spaces for all members of the community to visit and feel welcome. Those involved in shopping mall development such as the partner of the US minority shareholder of Mitsui Fudosan, for instance, would recognise the social benefits of shopping malls. Similarly, the CEO of the company that owns the Dubai Mall would appreciate the purpose of shopping malls in forming the metropolitan landscape and national identity of a place.