Streetlife: Urban Retail Dynamics and Prospects

The street-level economy is changing due to e-commerce, rising rents, storefront vacancies, and a cultural shift from material to experiential consumerism. The COVID-19 pandemic is contributing to economic upheaval, with commercial corridors and small businesses facing closures, bankruptcy, and job losses. Streetlife brings together scholars to understand the changing retail landscape and calls for better plans, designs, policies, and innovations to bolster sales. It emphasizes the need to understand what makes storefronts tick and what we can do to maintain retail as integral to urban lifestyle.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 19 January 2023
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

The street-level economy is experiencing a significant transformation, with retailers facing a multitude of challenges. The rise of e-commerce, soaring rents, and increasing storefront vacancies are exerting pressure on businesses, while a cultural shift towards experiential consumerism is reshaping consumer preferences. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the economic upheaval, leading to widespread closures, bankruptcies, and job losses among commercial corridors and small businesses.

Streetlife, a groundbreaking book, brings together scholars who are dedicated to understanding the evolving retail landscape at street level and its implications for urbanism's future. The book focuses on the diverse responses and policies that have emerged to address the competing realities of small business loss and neighborhood needs. Through comprehensive case studies from the United States, as well as contributions covering Canada and Europe, Streetlife demystifies the logic behind street-level urban retail and advocates for improved plans, designs, policies, and innovations to bolster sales.

One of the key insights of Streetlife is that the future of retail depends on our ability to understand what makes storefronts tick, what challenges they face, and what we can do as planners, designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to maintain retail as an integral part of urban lifestyle. The book highlights the importance of placemaking, the creation of vibrant and attractive spaces that attract consumers and promote economic activity. It emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that considers the social, cultural, and economic aspects of retail development.

Furthermore, Streetlife underscores the significance of supporting local businesses and promoting diversity in the retail landscape. It recognizes that small businesses play a vital role in creating jobs, fostering community engagement, and contributing to the unique character of neighborhoods. The book advocates for policies that prioritize the retention and growth of small businesses, such as tax incentives, zoning regulations, and support programs.

In conclusion, Streetlife is a timely and essential contribution to the field of urban planning and retail studies. It provides valuable insights into the changing retail landscape, the challenges facing retailers, and the strategies needed to maintain retail as an integral part of urban life. By understanding the dynamics of street-level retail, we can create more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable cities.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 228 x 152 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487524814