FACTORS INFLUENCING ADAPTIVE REUSE OF DECLINING SHOPPING MALLS IN THE U.S.: A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER VIEW

ABSTRACT

The majority of shopping malls in the U.S. have few options but to repurpose their soon-to-be empty spaces. However, developers and mall owners face a challenge to find out which solutions are best for their specific situations. This paper aims to identify decision factors for the adaptive reuse of declining malls in the U.S., revealing different perspectives of multiple stakeholders. This study proposed a conceptual framework specifically for decision-makers linked to the adaptive reuse of shopping malls. The survey asked a professional opinion on the method of mall revitalization and the importance of seven decision categories: physical, economic, functional, technological, social, legal, and political aspects. A total of 41 valid responses were analyzed. Stakeholders reported different views on seven decision categories. Investors, AEC (Architect, Engineer, and Contractor) professionals, developers, and building manager groups reported the economic category as the most important variable, whereas marketer and regulator groups responded that the legal category is the most important variable. The technology was reported as the least important variable from AEC professionals, marketers, developers, and building managers. Investors and regulators indicated the social category as the least important variable. The findings of this study are rather exploratory, not conclusive due to its limited sample size. As many more shopping malls face or will face challenges of closing, the solutions for these empty or soon-to-be empty facilities should be further studied.