ARE EDGE CITIES LOSING THEIR EDGE?

Popularized in the 1980s, the term "edge city" refers not only to the geographic area but also to the competitive edge that an outlying area offers over downtown as an employment center. Edge cities are characterized by millions of square feet of office and retail space, and they are traditionally auto-oriented. Edge cities are facing serious problems in the 1990s, though, due to downsizing. This article provides examples of edge cities around the nation and explains how some of them are adopting "downtown" strategies to survive. Transportation options, such as pedestrian malls and transit facilities, are helping to create a sense of place in these areas. Parks and other environmental designs are softening the concrete and steel facade common to the edge city. Incorporating urbanism into the suburban fold may be the way of saving some of these edge cities.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1762461
• Corporate Authors:

  American Planning Association

  122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1500
  Chicago, IL  United States  60603-6107
• Authors:
  • Fulton, W
• Publication Date: 1996-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 4-7
• Serial:
  • Planning
  • Volume: 62
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: American Planning Association
  • ISSN: 0001-2610
  • Serial URL: http://www.planning.org

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Atmosphere; Business districts; Cities; Competition; Pedestrian malls; Public transit; Rail transit facilities; Suburbs; Transportation planning; Urban areas
• Old TRIS Terms: Edge cities; Urban atmospheres
• Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00729982
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 12 1997 12:00AM