# Garden-Topped Shopping Malls This Beautiful Rooftop Park Sits on Top of a Dying Mall By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2015-09-17 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dying-mall References: [fastcoexist](http://www.fastcoexist.com/3051135/the-largest-green-roof-in-the-world-will-sit-on-top-off-this-dying-california-mall?partner=rss) & [thehillsatvallco](http://thehillsatvallco.com/) California developers are working on a plan to turn a dying mall into a beautiful garden-topped venue. In recent years, malls have become a less popular shopping destination for consumers. This new project aims to reimagine the [traditional shopping mall structure](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meet-me-themall) by turning it into a welcoming outdoor space. The Vallco Shopping Mall is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, yet it is largely empty inside. To revitalize the area, developers plan to add the [largest green roof in the world](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shibanee-kamal) to the existing structure. The area surrounding the mall will also receive a face-lift. If approved, the area will be outfitted with space for a farmers market, running trails and even an orchard. The goal is to turn the [dying mall into a community hub](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gate-m-west-bund-dream-center), rather than simply convert the area into a newer shopping center. The project demonstrates that suburban lifestyles are slowly shifting and existing infrastructure will need to be adapted accordingly. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 60% | Activity: 49% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Eco Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/ecoarchitecture) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Garden-topped Structures:** There is room for innovation in creating rooftop gardens for buildings with underutilized space. - **Community-based Malls:** Transforming traditional shopping malls into community spaces and event venues can revitalize dying areas. - **Urban Farming:** Incorporating farms and farmers markets can create new opportunities for local agriculture and sustainable living in urban areas. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Real Estate:** Developers can adapt innovative concepts like garden-topped structures to make use of underutilized properties in desirable urban areas. - **Retail:** The concept of community-based malls can create a novel shopping experience that emphasizes local goods and services that align with consumer trends. - **Agriculture:** By integrating traditional farming concepts with urban environments, farmers markets and urban farming projects can open up new markets in crowded cities. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Balanced Retail Atmosphere](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/capitamall-skyview.md) - [Draped Plant-Design Shopping Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calwer-passage.md) - [Dynamic Mall Rooftop Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skybowl.md) - [Urban Roofscape Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/central-yards.md) - [Energy Efficient Mall Redesigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skylight-galleria.md) - [Zen-Like Shopping Malls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zenlike-shopping-mall.md) - [Sculptural Mall Dreamscape](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unbounded-sanctuary.md) - [Hill-Like Designed Food Markets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tainan-xinhua-fruit-and-vegetable-market.md) - [Multi-Brand Virtual Malls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-mall.md)