It’s darn hard to design a town center when nobody knows what the heck retail is going to look like in the future. And that was pre-Covid 19.
@bradenslen The 15 minute city idea seems to have some promise. But yes, the longer the pandemic lasts the more habits change. I had my own punt at predicting the outcome, drawing from my past as a commercial real estate journalist.
@adders My community is taking their stab at it by making a walkable town center. What caused me to post is there are so many things in play all at the same time:
Retail: Online retail, generational die off of big box stores and strip malls, poss. end of automobile culture.
Post Pandemic Retail: drive through pickup, delivery, need for social distancing.
Future of transit and commuting.
Adapting for climate change. (staying green)
The constants that still matter seem to be the need for population density vs. suburban sprawl. Need for pandemic proof human amenities to make living enjoyable.