Creating a Sustainable Town Center in Suburbia

Abstract

Large swaths of the United States consists of low-density, suburban development; this way of building emits large amounts of carbon emissions, fails socially, and is not economically sound. The goal of this study is to provide preliminary conceptual ideas for the creation of a vibrant, sustainable town center in the suburbs focusing on improving walkability, housing options, and connectivity. This study explores preliminary visions for one such prototype at South Hills Village Mall (SHVM), a suburban mall outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While many mall retrofits focus on dying or dead malls, SHVM provides a unique perspective of redevelopment at an economically productive mall. Additionally, the site has access to frequent light-rail public transportation, allowing for the potential of transit-oriented development. Current conditions are studied and assessed through an existing conditions analysis focusing on land use, economics, and transportation. Informed by this analysis, an overarching vision statement and goal guided the design of two development scenarios. The Low-Investment Scenario suggests quick, more inexpensive solutions, while the idealistic High-Investment Scenario creatively reimagines the space on a larger scale. The findings of this study back up the heavily studied claim that large amounts of the United States’ urban environment is dedicated to underutilized parking and could be repurposed. The concepts developed here can be of use to metropolitan regions across the Rust Belt looking to increase density and preserve natural green spaces.