Quote:
Originally Posted by miketoronto
I think as city lovers we can appreciate that shopping does create a lot of vibrancy in our cities.
The truth is most of the iconic streets in our world cities would be nothing without the shops, restaurants, and entertainment that make them interesting places to visit.
That is the fun thing I found about my recent visit in Europe. Families just descend on the city centres on a Saturday and hang out. Does it include shopping, you bet.
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This is true.
And I know this is heresy on here, but I find I have gotten less anti-mall recently - as I've observed them more.
I mean, I realize the whole public space vs. private space thing that distinguishes a main city street from a mall, but I can't help but notice (despite all my willingness to do the opposite) that a mall fairly reasonably serves the same societal function as a shopping street.
One of the criticisms about a mall is that certain members of society are excluded or at least unwelcome there, but this is true of most streets as well. Or at least streets where families would go for a stroll. Undesirable behaviour is not tolerated on the Champs-Élysées anymore than it is in a mall.
Busking? Well, in many cities you actually need a permit and have to audition in order to do this.
And as far as undesirables go, I doubt there are very many malls these days in North America where people with punk hairdos or anything of the sort would be forbidden from entering. You might get watched more by mall security, but then again the cops would do this on a street as well.