Mixed-use streets in London: what does the future hold? 

Matthew Carmona, "London's local high streets: The problems, potential and complexities of mixed street corridors," Progress in Planning 100 (2015)

The take-away: This article theorizes British “high streets”—characterized by small shops, pedestrian accessibility, and mixed use. Although it offers critical perspectives on how the viability of high streets has been impacted by shifting economic conditions, it remains optimistic on their potential to be used in future development plans.

Abstract: This paper examines the ‘problem’ of mixed street corridors through the lens of London's local high streets (main streets). It theorises the nature of these streets, developing an analytical framework through which to investigate them through their four high street functions – physical  fabric, exchange, movement and real estate – and the overarching question of management. It then explores the challenges and issues facing such streets in British cities before turning  specifically to the London case. Through a complimentary set of empirical investigations, London's local high streets are explored across two scales, in terms of their strategic city-wide  contribution, and through their local impact. They are examined both with regard to their situation today and their future potential. The policy context across London is also, explored, before conclusions and recommendations are drawn out of relevance to London and to mixed  street corridors across the world. Mixed streets represent a particularly ‘wicked’ problem for cities, yet, as the research shows, they are also some of the most important spaces in the city,  of far greater complexity and local significance than is realised, and possessing untapped  strategic growth potential.

Full article (FREE public access)