On the basis of the scenarios of the pilot project "Trade in Transition", Zurich City Development formulated theses on the development of the retail trade and the structure of centres. The theses are written as well-founded statements and outline challenges and consequences for the stationary retail trade (seven theses) and the different spatial types of the center structure (five theses) of the city of Zurich.

Five key messages

The central messages of the theses on the retail trade and on the five room types of the centre structure can be summarised as follows:

a. The demand for a decentralised centre structure with places of residence, meeting and consumption remains. However, the retail trade is losing importance, as there is a partial decoupling of retail and social interaction.

b. A further spatial concentration of the retail and service offers in the centers is necessary.

c. New offers and combinations of uses (retail, gastronomy, personal and social services, etc.) must be made possible in the centres in a user-oriented manner .

d. The offer ("experience" versus "convenience") of the retail trade continues to strengthen and thus the different character of the individual centers.

e. Urban logistics is becoming more important and must be taken into account integrally in the various room types of the center structure.