Complexity in Governance of Commercial City Centres

Cities are complex systems. So are the commercial areas within and around them. In this chapter, our goal is to demonstrate why and how complexity theory (complex adaptive systems theory) can help us better understand the complexity of commercial areas and the policy implications of this understanding. To demonstrate why and how, we first discuss the seminal urban literature that points to the complexity of urban processes and structures, in which commercial areas are embedded. Then we summarize the elements of defining and identifying complexity in general and in the urban literature. We summarize the literature relevant to the complexity of commercial areas, particularly place-based economics, multifunctional urban centres, trip generation/attraction models, and direct applications of complexity theory. We conclude with a summary and implications for policymakers and planners of commercial areas.