The last two decades have witnessed a rapid increase in retail sector development, particularly the growth of regional retail centers. The concentration of new retail centers in out-of-town locations (usually occupying green field sites) and away from city center 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 Centresis the first book to take a comprehensive look at regional retail centers in relation to environmental, social and economic sustainability. The book presents an overview of the development of regional shopping centers, including a vital analysis of consumer behavior, 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 centers 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 centers, and into modifications of existing centers. 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 centers, taking into consideration all these factors over the center's whole lifespan. The authors use the model to present case-studies of sustainability assessments from out-of-town retail centers and then describe how the method can be adapted for use internationally and for in-town retail centers. The book provides an essential tool for designers, developers and regulators#xE2;#xAC;#x1D;offering checklists and practical guidelines for the future of shopping centers in terms of function, building quality, sustainability performance and impact on planning and design issues.