Today I uncovered plans for MEGA Mall that I made some 21 plus years ago! It's fun to see where my imagination was back then.

Malls were still somewhat relevant at that time and this was long before my full blown urbanist ways.

MEGA Mall was loosely based on the former Owings Mills Mall in Baltimore County, Maryland. I went there a lot in my childhood. The concept idea was what would happen if the mall was expanded to be the biggest mall ever created and turned into it's own city.

I think was inspired by the Mall of America, West Edmonton Mall, Disney World, Roller Coaster Tycoon and Sim City.

Interesting observations looking at this many years later...

There was A LOT of parking! Including one 30 story parking garage! Yikes! I guess this was what they call "drive to urbanism."

The complex had its own full size MLB and NFL stadiums along with an Arena for basketball/concerts. Hopefully not publicly financed!

Lake Owings featured paddle boats, jet skis, a river rapids ride, boat tour and picnic grounds.

The whole complex was connected by the MM or MetroMonorail system and TS or Tram System. Probably inspired the monorail and parking lot trams found at Disney World. Once you got there, you never needed to drive a car. 15 minute neighborhoods anyone?

Sadly, I didn't include bikes as a mode of travel back then. A direct connection to the nearby Baltimore Metro subway for greater city access should have been added.

The place had its own airport! OMI or Owings Mills International!

Mixed use of not only retail but offices, hotels and even a complex of residential high-rises called the Owings Towers and Condos at the OMM. We needed permanent residents to keep the place alive all the time.

I even included places of worship and grocery stores. Community gardens would be a nice addition so people could grow their own food.

Education was even considered with the inclusion of schools from elementary all the way up to prestigious Owings College!

I wish there was more green space but apparently I included camping grounds in the complex.

Malls are clearly a dying breed these days but some of these urbanism concepts live on. Particularly the idea of 15 minute neighborhoods where one could access all of their basic needs within a 15 minute walk of their home.

Obviously this was a blur between reality and fantasy of a 10/11 year old but nevertheless a fun exercise. What do you think?