Trova, Vasso2013Trova , V 2013 , ' Blurring boundaries: the Mall and the City ' , Revista Lusófona de Arquitectura e Educação .1646-6756Revista Lusófona de Arquitectura e EducaçãoThis paper will focus on the evolution of shopping malls in Athens. It will try to describe the two basic dominant typologies of Greek shopping malls and it will investigate the multiple and controversial factors of the spatial and social context within which malls are located. The paper will argue that a decade ago events such as the 2004 Olympic Games have created a spatial background suitable for locating oversized boxes (the typical suburban type) while the degradation of the city centre has created a spatial background for the development of the urban mall connected to the public transport system. In both cases malls are trying to create urban substitutes by providing multiple cultural events, various entertainments, by constructing certain urban ambiences and by trying to associate with the landmarks of the city. In this context a hybrid situation is being constructed where the boundaries between the mall and city life become indiscernible.application/pdfengopenAccessARQUITETURAATENASCENTROS COMERCIAISJOGOS OLÍMPICOSURBANISMOARCHITECTUREATHENSSHOPPING CENTRESOLYMPIC GAMESURBANISMBlurring boundaries: the Mall and the Cityarticle