Author(s)

V. Fernández & S. Millán

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the irreplaceable role of commerce in the sustainability of cities. For that, we compare two options of commercial development: small commerce carried out in the centre of cities and the growth of big commercial centres around them. Although the actual use and continual expansion of big commercial surfaces around cities demonstrate that this activity responds to a social demand, it is not the best solution in most cases from a sustainable point of view. In the European conception of the city, commerce is the activity that most contributes to maintaining cities. Apart from buildings themselves, the performance of the commercial activity inside cities and elements such as their shop windows make cities both more attractive and habitable. This generates a higher added value to the buildings in

Keywords