So, if it's not malls, what is next? Our public transportation system is mediocre at best so I don't see people abandoning cars and taking a bus urban centers (at least not for many years). So, if people continue to drive cars they will likely choose to shop at places where they can park nearby.
I can see a few possible outcomes. One would be the recurrance of main streets, like California Ave in West Seattle or Market Street in Ballard. Both are packed with shops facing the street but have huge amounts of parking on the back sides. In some ways, a lot like a mall, but with a working street in between.
Another possiblity would be the development of large parking structures along major public transportation routes. This would allow people in outer areas to drive part of the way, park, and take transit to urban centers. I don't particularly like this, but I suspect it will happen as it is not practical to provide good public transpo to all the outlying areas.
A third possibility alluded to by others is that people might shop less and buy more online. That means the need for fewer shops. But it doens't change the need for highways and parking except that the need would be smaller.
Any other projections?
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