Several factors are leading to the end of commercial strip development while simultaneously leading to more and more town centers and mixed-use facilities.
Ever since post-WWII sprawl, most commercial development in suburbs has involved narrow strips down single corridors. This trend is slowly coming to an end with several contributing factors, from changing demographics to the urbanization of those same suburbs.
Simultaneously, these factors are helping advocates of town centers, mixed-use development, and main streets. Edwards T. McMahon argues:
"At the same time that Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, and others are planning new urban stores all over America, as many as 400 former big-box stores sit vacant on commercial strips. Most analysts agree that urban neighborhoods are the new frontier for retail-the one place left with more spending power than stores to spend it in. At the same time that retail is rediscovering the city, the suburbs are being redesigned. Chris Leinberger recently declared that 'the largest redevelopment trend of the next generation will be the conversion of dead or dying strip commercial centers in the suburbs into walkable urban places.'"
FULL STORY: The Future of the Strip?
Thousands of Affordable Housing Units Planned Near New Haven Train Station
The proposal could breathe new life into a long-neglected area near a heavily trafficked Amtrak station.
‘Grand Boulevards’ Could Ease Housing Crisis
A prominent urbanist argues that redeveloping commercial corridors with denser housing could bridge the gap between the housing supply and demand.
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How Would Project 2025 Affect America’s Transportation System?
Long story short, it would — and not in a good way.
California Law Ends Road Widening Mandates
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But... Europe
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Western Conservationists, Tribes File Legal Motion to Defend Public Lands Rule
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Intense October Heat Wave Raises Fire Risk in California
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‘Climate Havens’ Not Safe From Hurricane Helene’s Destruction
Parts of North Carolina previously considered immune to the impact of hurricanes experienced historic flooding in the aftermath of the storm.
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.
Placer County
Mayors' Institute on City Design
City of Sunnyvale
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP), the Department of City and Regional Planning (CRP)
Knoxville-Knox County Planning
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
City of Portland, ME
Baton Rouge Area Foundation