Pedestrian-Only Malls Not Always the Answer

Without high pedestrian and retail activity, regional malls could actually benefit from re-opening to vehicular traffic.

1 minute read

April 19, 2004, 10:00 AM PDT

By Charlotte Fitzgerald


Pedestrian-only malls in the centre of Queensland’s regional cities need re-invention according to urban planner Trevor Reddacliff. He observes that the more successful Queen Street Mall (Brisbane CBD) and Cavill Avenue Mall (Gold Coast) both benefit from a concentration of activity from being the "commercial and retail heart of southeast Queensland" and having a tourist focus, respectively. Malls in regional centres, however, had suffered from the development of fringe and suburban shopping centres which drew anchor tenants out of the central business districts. Less pedestrian traffic means that many of these malls are now described as "dead spaces", with accompanying high crime rates. Redevelopment with new uses, reintroducing cars, and becoming entertainment districts are amongst the suggested solutions.

Thanks to Charlotte Fitzgerald

Saturday, April 17, 2004 in The Courier Mail

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Broken, uneven sidewalk being damaged by large tree roots in Los Angeles, California.

The City of Broken Sidewalks

Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?

December 5, 2024 - Donald Shoup

Large store in mall with yellow and black STORE CLOSING sign on front.

Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks

Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.

December 8, 2024 - Ruscena Wiederholt

Multifamily housing under construction.

To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land

How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.

December 11, 2024 - John D. Landis

Close-up of "Shared Use Path" sign for pedestrians and cyclists on post in urban setting.

California Adds Complete Streets to Transportation Funding Guidelines

The state transportation commission previously declined to include bike and pedestrian infrastructure in its updated funding guidelines, despite a new state law requiring Complete Streets efforts in all Caltrans projects.

7 seconds ago - Streetsblog California

Aerial view of downtown Omaha, Nebraska with holiday lights at sunset.

Omaha Streetcar Yielding $1.5 Billion in TIF Funds

The line, scheduled for completion in 2027, is bringing billions in new investment to the city’s urban core.

1 hour ago - KMTV 3 News Now

View of brick buildings and One World Trade Center building and New York City skyline.

NYC’s Proposed Zoning Reforms Lag Behind Other Cities

Cities like Austin and Minneapolis are making major changes to their zoning codes to encourage housing construction, but New York’s proposed reforms are far less ambitious.

2 hours ago - The City

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.