Planning for Retail Activities in Small Downtowns: Towards a Pragmatic Approach

John Mullin, UMass Amherst
Zenia Kotval, Michigan State University

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This article is deposited with permission from NYCOM.

Abstract

Over the past twenty years there has been an enormous shift in terms of retail activity in our downtowns. The changes that have occurred have influenced where and how we shop, where we live and how we define the centers of our communities. As these have evolved, planners have constantly attempted to react and adapt. At times, they have been quite sucessful while, more often, they have been frustrated. What is most perplexing is that the shifts show no signs of abating. It is an exciting time to be undertaking downtown planning!