Are Lifestyle Centers Killing Downtowns?

Lifestyle centers, like shopping malls of the past, are contributing to the decline of city centers across the country.

1 minute read

October 26, 2005, 8:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

Cities across the country are jumping on the "lifestyle center" bandwagon without questioning how these new developments will impact the economic vitality of their downtowns. The increase in lifestyle centers throughout the Portland, Oregon, region has contributed to the slow materialization of Metro's (Portland's regional planning agency) identified town and regional centers. "Although lifestyle centers may be economically successful in the short term, they compete with the city's urban core, encourage automobile dependence and, in the long term, contribute to a city center's economic and social decline."

[PDF, 1 page, 598 kb]

Thanks to Debra Ames

FULL STORY: In My Opinion: Lifestyle Centers Hamper Region's Growth Management Strategy [PDF]

Wednesday, October 26, 2005 in AIA Oregon Architect Newsletter

Community / Economic Development Land Use Urban Development United States

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

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.