Malls get sustainable makeover

Shopping malls that prioritise sustainability are poised to become the next nationwide trend, with an academic suggesting the government play an active role in setting standards for the segment.

- KUAKUL MORNKUM

Singh Intrachooto, assistant professor at the Department of Building Innovation, Faculty of Architecture, Kasetsart University, predicts department stores will increasingly adapt or renovate existing malls to align with sustainability values, which he sees as a significant trend.

This shift is driven by brands renting space in malls, many of which have established their own sustainability or environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies.

These policies could be influenced by government regulations in their home countries. As a result, brands may be unable to open stores without a solid sustainability plan, particularly related to sustainable buildings, he said.