I always get a bit sad when a chunk of land that was once used to produce something (e.g. an old research plant), gets converted into something to consume somet

I always get a bit sad when a chunk of land that was once used to produce something (e.g. an old research plant), gets converted into something to consume something (e.g. a mini mall). Several of the vestiges that existed when I was a kid of what gave silicon valley its name are now gone and replaced with shopping centers.