Many recent expensive efforts to revitalize downtowns or build new centers have failed because the adopted design and planning recommendations along with poor implementation approaches hurt commerce. New and old towns need intelligent strategies for the survival of their commercial life. Sustainable development and vibrant community life are impossible without these strategies. In this program, we will explore the practical science of analyzing and adjusting all elements known to affect a shopper's mood in the marketplace, and how that informs design and development principles for reviving retail in declining downtowns and for establishing viable commerce in new ones.

Other particular areas of focus will include:

• The best practices for programing sustainable urban retail centers and repositioning failed suburban malls.
• Proven planning and design practices for walkable retail centers including: architecture, parking, parks, streetscape and tenant mix.
• The fundamentals of retail market research and site selection criteria by each retail category and many national retail tenants.
• An introduction to consumer psychographics, and how this field leads to an understanding of and exerts influence consumer behavior.
• An insider’s view for planning and managing resort and tourist retail destinations and resorts.
• An optional tour and analysis of the evolving retail district of Harvard Square.
• Modern industry standards for retail visual merchandising, storefront and signage.
• The expanding importance of food in its many forms in the creation and sustainability of retail places.
• International trends and opportunities, and the connections universally shared among great retail places around the globe.