The sad reality is that much of America, particularly suburban America but even in cities, public gathering places are nearly non-existent. The shopping mall (or more recently, lifestyle center, Festival Marketplaces, etc) is the closest thing many have to the town square or decently appointed public park.

However, the mall isn't a public space and things a healthy society allows for - protest, hand holding, being different looking, aren't necessarily allowed in a mall.

Regardless if a mall is preferable in 100 degree heat or -10 degree cold, those other spaces are important for other reasons.