The changing retail structure and vacancy in city centers A learning trajectory for (future) shrinking cities Tanya van Eck Master Thesis Spatial Planning Nijmegen School of Management Radboud University December 2018 The changing retail structure and vacancy in city centers: A learning trajectory for (future) shrinking cities. Colophon: Description: Master thesis Spatial Planning Specialization: Planning, Land and Real Estate Development Author: T. J. B. van Eck Student number: s4608798 Email address:
[email protected] Supervisor: F. Sharmeen Radboud University Word count of main text: 32997 Image cover: Own picture made of the Markt in Helmond. 1 Preface I am proud to present my master thesis about the changing retail structure and vacancy in city centers. This subject has piqued my interest because I like to visit city centers for shopping and other facilities. I have noticed that not only have more buildings become vacant in city centers, but media attention has also increased on this topic. In fact, the media has reported an increase in the bankruptcy of well-known retail shops in the Netherlands. My interest is in why these shops have become bankrupt and how city centers have dealt with the increased number of vacancies. However, finding a topic within the retail structure that contributes to the scientific field was a challenge for me. Nevertheless, I discovered that vacancies are intensified in regions with shrinkage and in areas in which shrinkage is predicted for the future. Therefore, I decided to investigate the changing retail structure in a shrinking context. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the people who helped me during the writing process of this thesis.