"No Net Loss" for Third Places?

Wolfe posits that many forms of dynamic activities in urban centers, including the loss of congregating bookstores like Borders, raise questions about the need to preserve downtown "third places" and how to make a more livable city. While sensitive to the opportunity for the reestablishment of independent booksellers, he argues that the loss of a large congregating place, even if part of chain merchandising, may be replaced by a use that is not a third place. He suggests that a "no net loss" approach is appropriate for such square footage:

"Both the private market and public policymakers should work together on the potential prize of livability: assuring the sustainable, no net loss of square footage devoted to urban third places."

Thanks to Chuck Wolfe