Wal-Mart and the Death of Downtown

Paper Summary:

The paper uses the cities of Guelph and Vermont to show how communities can combat the phenomenon of dying downtowns. The paper illustrates how cities must focus on a sustainable economic development strategy and must have a commitment from all sectors of the community with the city council. The paper also looks at Mexico as an example of the negative effects of a Mexican version of Wal-Mart on downtown.

Outline:
Introduction
Downtown Death Delayed By Design
Power of the People
Vermont Vs Big Box Construction
Mexico's Malingering Big Box
Londerville-A Synthesis of the Research
Summit Report-Waterloo-Guelph
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In all cities and towns all over both the United States and Canada something is dying, or perhaps already dead and that something is downtown and cultural heritage being replaced by something generic and that comes in a big box - that something is 'Wal-Mart'. While Wal-Mart has brought lower prices to these communities, Wal-Mart has also brought decay, decline, and crime. These lower prices have come with a high price tag to communities and society as this work in writing intends to show."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bennett, Ben (2003) Big Box Battle: Guelph's Citizens Favour Community Values and Smaller Developments, But They are Up Against Powerful Forces. Alternatives Journal. 22 Jun 2003. Online available at: http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0199-3139860_ITM
• Guanajuato: The Death of Heritage (2007) Journal a Day: Travel 28 July 2007. Online available at: http://www.journal-a-day.com/Travel/392019-guanajuato-the-death-of-heritage.html.
• Londerville, Jane (2000) Retail Services in Rural Towns: Measuring the Impact of Changes in the Retail Environment. The Cutting Edge 2000. Consumer Studies - University of Guelph. Ontario Canada. Online available at: http://www.rics.org/NR/rdonlyres/4B293EFC-AE4C-41DE-96E1-ADB63ACD19C9/0/retail_services_in_rural_towns_20000101.pdf
• Guelph Community Survey (2006) Final Report 18 July 2006. Online available at: http://guelph.ca/uploads/Council_and_Committees/Growth-Management/Guelph-Community-Survey-Final-Report.pdf
• Summit-Report - Waterloo-Guelph (2002) Innovation in Canada. Government of Canada. Online available at: http://www.strategieinnovation.gc.ca/gol/innovation/site.nsf/en/in04187.html

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