A Greener Walk Through SM City Davao

When we think of going to the mall, we usually picture shops, restaurants, bright displays, and crowds of people. But during a recent walk around SM City Davao, I noticed something that made the experience feel lighter and more refreshing: greenery has become part of the mall’s everyday spaces.

Even before entering the mall, the greenery around the main entrance already creates a welcoming first impression. Against the building’s concrete and glass exterior, these living features add color and warmth to the surroundings.

It may seem like a small design detail, but after coming from Davao’s busy streets and warm weather, being greeted by green spaces can make the transition into the mall feel more pleasant.

Oversized planters greet shoppers at each mall entrance

Looking closer, these natural elements do more than beautify the entrance. They soften the overall appearance of the building and offer shoppers a visual connection to nature before they begin their errands, meals, or shopping trips.

Inside the mall, the greenery continues in places where shoppers normally walk, eat, wait, and rest.

Near the Food Court, plants help make the busy dining area feel more comfortable. When you have been walking around for some time, sitting below greenery can offer a brief visual break from store displays, artificial lighting, and crowds.

They make the surroundings feel a little calmer. It is the kind of detail you may not immediately notice, yet it can affect how comfortable you feel while eating or taking a break. 

Overhead greenery adds a refreshing touch to the space near the Food Court

The mall’s newer Extension Building also carries this greener character. The bushes complement the modern architecture and create a more inviting environment for shoppers exploring the area.

It made me realize that a good shopping experience is not only about the number of stores or restaurants available. It is also about how a place makes you feel while you are there.

Shopping can sometimes be tiring, especially when the mall is crowded or when you have several errands to complete. Green spaces cannot remove the crowd, but they can help make large commercial areas feel less overwhelming.

The newer Extension Building of SM City Davao incorporates greenery into its modern design

This is especially noticeable along the corridor connecting the Main Mall and the Annex Building. Instead of feeling like an ordinary passageway, the greenery makes the walk between the two buildings more pleasant.

For shoppers, corridors are usually places we simply pass through. But by adding plants, the mall turns that short walk into a more visually refreshing part of the visit.

Plants brighten the corridor connecting the Main Mall and Annex Building

The same experience continues inside the Annex Building, where greenery softens the commercial environment and gives shoppers small spaces to pause. After moving from one store to another, these pockets of green can give your eyes and mind a short break.

Sustainability is not only seen in the plants around the mall but also in initiatives that encourage shoppers to participate. During the visit, I came across an SM Electronic Waste Collection Dropbox. It accepts electronic waste, including old mobile phones, tablets, laptops, routers, chargers, batteries, cords, power banks, and USB devices.

Having a collection point inside the mall gives shoppers a more convenient way to dispose of electronic waste responsibly. You do not need to participate in a major environmental activity to contribute. Sometimes, it starts with bringing an old gadget during your next mall visit instead of allowing it to collect dust or throwing it away with regular household waste.

The next time you visit SM City Davao, look beyond the shops, restaurants, and sale signs. Notice the greenery by the entrances, near the Food Court, throughout the Extension Building, and along the corridor connecting the Main Mall and Annex.

These may appear to be small features, but together, they help make every visit a little more comfortable, refreshing, and greener.