This podcast episode delves into the history, rise, and decline of shopping malls, examining their cultural impact, architectural design, psychological strategies, and economic factors. The discussion covers the evolution of shopping centers from early bazaars to enclosed malls, the golden age of malls in America, and the challenges they face in the digital age. The podcast also explores the work of Victor Gruen, the architect who designed the first shopping mall, and his vision for malls as public meeting spaces, contrasting it with the commercial realities that led to the decline of malls.
