Wal-Mart And New Urbanism?

Wal-Mart considers a decidely new urbanist approach to rebuilding two downtown stores destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

1 minute read

November 15, 2005, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Wal-Mart, the big-box giant sometimes accused of contributing to sprawl, traffic jams and the demise of downtown merchants, is considering an urban look and downtown locations for two of its Gulf Coast stores...

...Urban planners invited by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour to bring fresh rebuilding ideas to 11 hurricane-damaged communities have devised concepts that would turn Wal-Mart's big-box stores into corner stores. They say executives from the world's largest retailer want to meet with them in January at Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Ark."

Proposals include a "Wal-Mart Village" and a "Downtown Wal-Mart".

Thanks to The Practice of New Urbanism Listserv

Tuesday, November 15, 2005 in USA Today

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