Investigating the Emergence and Performance of Shopping Malls from Design Review and Users’ Perspectives in Karachi, Pakistan Investigating the Emergence and Performance of Shopping Malls from Design Review and Users’ Perspectives in Karachi, Pakistan *Fariha Tahseen 1 , Prof. Dr. Noman Ahmed 2 1 Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Planning, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 2 Professor, Department of Architecture and Planning, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi This paper is based on a study that investigates emergence and performance of shopping malls from design review and users’ experience. It examines users’ expectancy of services and their level of satisfaction, thus, influences overall performance evaluation of a shopping mall. This research paper also explores emergence of shopping malls in Karachi and a concise account of identifying challenges and exploring opportunities. The research methodology employs qualitative mode of research design for data collection through multiple methods such as on-site investigation by observations, and acquiring user perception by questionnaires and interviews. The data analysis comprises of calculation of customer satisfaction index (CSI) and SPSS statistics tests. Firstly, an overall trend in performance was evaluated. Secondly, it was found if there is statistically significant difference in performance between 5 selected shopping malls of Karachi based on incorporation of design considerations and attributes of a) location and accessibility b) parking and circulation c) site planning and landscape d) design features and services. A proposal of recommendations, as guiding ethos, to minimize impacts of identified challenges in malls of Pakistan concludes this paper. Keywords: Shopping Malls, Mall Emergence and Development, Performance attributes, Customer Satisfaction, Challenges and Opportunities, Design Considerations, Building Evaluation INTRODUCTION Shopping malls, widely accepted as a global phenomenon, are a popular genre of retail development. Peoples’ attraction towards shopping malls not only owes to the business success but accounts for quality of spaces and the experience created by these multi-user retail spaces. During the recent past, shopping and multipurpose mall spaces have evolved and spread in numbers and scales in large cities in Pakistan. With the passage of time, these malls and high-end shopping stores have morphed into centripetal spaces that attract shoppers and vendors from various locations of respective cities. International brand promoters find malls an economic outlet to sell and promote their merchandize. The rapid advancement in technology and competitive environments has created both new challenges and opportunities for shopping malls. It was found useful to structure this paper by tracing evolution of shopping malls worldwide and its conceptual development as multi user spaces. Research in the area of shopping malls in Pakistani context is generally very limited. Therefore, this research contributes to knowledge through an evaluation of performance of shopping malls, through acquiring visitor satisfaction, with certain measurement criteria would be essential besides tracking evolution of malls in Pakistan to understand the mall trends and issues associated with its design and performance. *Corresponding Author: Fariha Tahseen; Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Planning, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi. Email: fariha_tahseen@yahoo.com; Tel: 0092 (333-4708835) Co-Author Email: nomaniconn@gmail.com; Tel: 0092 (333-3417250) Research Article Vol. 5(1), pp. 111-122, March, 2020. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: 1530-9931 International Research Journal of Architecture and Planning