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

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing