The last two decades have witnessed a rapid increase in retail sector development, particularly the growth of regional retail centres. The concentration of new retail centres in out-of-town locations (usually occupying green field sites) and away from city centre locations has fuelled growing concerns about the threats they pose to cities and towns, and the ecological and socio-economic conflicts that arise from their uncontrolled growth.
Sustainable Regional Retail Centres is the first book to take a comprehensive look at regional retail centres in relation to environmental, social and economic sustainability. The book presents an overview of the development of regional shopping centres, including a vital analysis of consumer behaviour, trends and preferences. It defines their main characteristics and related impacts and explores the various sectors' involvement in their development and management. The sustainability of regional retail centres is questioned, and ways to diminish their negative impacts are presented. The authors then present an innovative assessment model which can be used to assess sustainability and incorporate it into plans for future retail centres, and into modifications of existing centres. Regional shopping centres consist of a complex amalgam of energy consumption, existing buildings and transport systems. The model presented by the authors is the first system to address the issue of sustainability for regional shopping centres, taking into consideration all these factors over the centre's whole lifespan. The authors use the model to present case-studies of sustainability assessments from out-of-town retail centres and then describe how the method can be adapted for use internationally and for in-town retail centres. The book provides an essential tool for designers, developers and regulators - offering checklists and practical guidelines for the future of shopping centres in terms of function, building quality, sustainability performance and impact on planning and design issues.
