Why malls fear freedom

Findings indicate that 30 per cent of the places perceived as unsafe in the shopping mall belong to the class functional spaces note that only 44 respondent or 17 per cent indicate unsafe places in the shopping facility. In this shopping centre, they are composed of jewellery, electronic stores but also money exchanges, banks, restaurants and entertainment places Fig. Visitors have different preferences with regards to improving safety conditions in the context of shopping malls. Figure 9.

A summary of the main safety problems, indicated by the respondents, by type of environment as well as their suggestions for improvements are presented in Table 9.

Having toilet staff present at all times was suggested as an improvement in social control for example, the toilets have been used for washing clothes and smoking as well as mall hosts, particularly at the entrances. According to the respondents, better surveillance can be achieved by implementing more and visible surveillance cameras in public spaces and in stores as well as increased evening presence of security guards and the police. Walls with mirrors were also suggested in stores, supermarkets and restaurants; and in the general mall environment, displays with real time information showing what is happening in the mall as well as better maps to make it easier to orient oneself.

More guardianship could be promoted by providing seating options in the corridors, which is desirable for older adults and children. Respondents suggested a number of target-hardening measures, including random bags checks at exits in stores and supermarkets.

In order to make it easier to catch criminals, respondents also suggested changes in particular environments by improving lighting and reducing physical barriers and hiding spots, especially along corridors and other spaces to maximize natural surveillance. Problems of public disorder at entrances, particularly involving youths, could be tackled by involving youth organisations promoting, for instance, safety walks.

In this particular case, safety walks could involve both youth and adults. Armitage, R. Basingstoke; New York: Palgrave. CrossRef Google Scholar. Bamfield, J. Shopping and Crime. Beck, A. Leicester: Perpetuity Press. Google Scholar. Bowers, K. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 30 3 , — Box, S. Explaining Fear of Crime.

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Shopping Centre Design, Decline and Crime. International Journal of Police Science and Management, 7 2 , — Reynald, D. Informal Guardianship. Weisburd Eds. Riger, S. Not only has footfalls increased but those coming in are also spending more time in the mall.

At Acropolis mall, footfall was a record high at 9 lakh on Independence Day. Yet, retail stores clocked a revenue of Rs 96 lakh, down from Rs 1 crore recorded on August 9. Quite the opposite actually with the mall management pointing out that it was very encouraging to see families walk in. When malls reopened in June, there were more men than women walk-ins.

Gradually, the young stepped in. On Independence Day, there were a large number of women and children. While the mall at Salt Lake had a footfall in excess of 17, over the weekend and revenue of Rs 2. It is good to see women have started visiting malls. The offers made by retailers are very lucrative too and that's tempting people. But the convenience and a different shopping experience drew the crowds and malls began to thrive.

And people discovered that the prices of recognised brands are the same as at outlets other than in malls. You can get almost everything — from kitchen dusters to electronic items — under one roof.

There are no parking hassles as malls have their own parking, often with valet service, and once inside it is cool and clean, whereas the other markets are neither that clean or spacious. You have to park sometimes very far and walk in the dust and heat to reach the market.

Many would agree that a mall is more than just a shopping place now. People can, and do, indulge in window shopping, browse around and see what is new, spend some time at the food court relaxing with friends over a cup of coffee or snacks whereas the children enjoy the play area. It is a place to meet and greet. I would rather say that mostly brand conscious people opt for malls over open markets as they think that malls provide a wide range of brands under one roof in air conditioned, cosy environment.

Many would agree that a mall is more than just a shopping place. Visiting malls is a pastime for many, as you can indulge in window shopping, browse around and see what is new, spend some time at the food court or a restaurant within the mall relaxing with friends over a cup of coffee or snacks whereas the children enjoy the play area.

For them it is a place to meet and greet people, spend leisurely hours at a safe and comfortable place. In summers with frequent power failures people take to visiting malls as they are centrally air conditioned and provide a respite from the stifling heat.

For instance, if I am shopping for clothes, almost all brands have their outlets there and I can pick and choose without having to go out and look for parking or walk on the road and broken footpaths. You can roam around for hours in a mall and not have to fear about being robbed at a gun point. Lately, it is being seen that young people, especially girls, have taken to meet their friends at the food courts within the malls.

Sana Zaidi, mother of three, prefers shopping at malls, especially when she has to shop for her three children. Also the eateries at the food court are not inexpensive.