From 2013 to 2014, the nation’s metropolitan areas gained 2.3 million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Prof. Dunham-Jones, who directs the MS/UD program, says that this is part of the reason at least 300 malls are now dead or dying. At least 205 of these, according to Dunham-Jones’ database, are being retrofitted to serve the surrounding communities. At least 40 of the projects are for “walkable, urban, mixed use” areas, says Dunham-Jones. A number of other dead malls are being re-greened and converted into parks.
