If you're comparing "faux" town centers to century old walkable town centers, then they do seem lacking. But in most of North America, the alternative to "faux

If you're comparing "faux" town centers to century old walkable town centers, then they do seem lacking. But in most of North America, the alternative to "faux" town centers isn't original town centers. The alternative is miles of stroads flanked by strip malls, or islands of big box shopping malls surrounded by an ocean of parking lots. In this context, the open-air shopping mall as town center is a net positive. Especially when combined with apartment buildings or townhouses as is also happening in some new developments.