Shopping centers have become the most common of shopping environments and have influenced the make-up of cities around the world. However, in recent years, the enclosed "mall" has evolved and diversified with new types of retail environments that were developed to better suit their locale and meet public expectation.

This design guide has over 600 illustrations that present the core values and considerations that make a successful retail center: location, catchment user needs, as well as access and layout. Covering everything from site master planning to the essentials of public facilities and the technical systems, this is essential reading for architects of contemporary shopping centers.

A series of international examples showcasing different types of shopping environments are included to cover the wide range of designs that have occurred in recent years. From the "out of town" mall to retail parks and mixed use town center developments, the best of contemporary design is illustrated to provide both practical information and inspiration.