Rules for Planning Successful Retail Developments

Hazel Borys discusses how several key form-based guidelines for retail can encourage success in the most risky of all development types.

1 minute read

December 24, 2011, 7:00 AM PST

By Hazel Borys

It's been a busy week around urban planning and retail development. Bob Gibbs new book, Principles of Urban Retail Planning and Development, was published. Along with a webinar and Twitter discussion on the subject. It got a little debate going on whether you planners can create rules for something as nebulous and regionally-specific as retail.

Hazel Borys summarizes: "Let's look for a moment at some of the key rules of retail. And the numbers that influence our buying habits. Concise rules of human behavior govern whether retail will be successful. But these rules have many corollaries.

Over Supply: The US has 20 SF of retail per person. That's massive in comparison to other countries; the next closest are Sweden at 3.3 and the UK at 2.5 SF of retail per person. So if you're going to build more, it's gotta be good."

Thanks to Hazel Borys

FULL STORY: Urbanism: When it bends the rules and breaks the law.

Friday, December 23, 2011 in PlaceShakers

Community / Economic Development North America Urbanism SmartCode Form-Based Code Retail Bob Gibbs Hazel Borys View More

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.