The theory and praxis of mixed-use development - An integrative literature review

Abstract

The study critically evaluates the theory and praxis of mixed-use development. It uses an integrative literature review design to evaluate the different conceptualisations of mixed-use development in the literature. The paper not only develops a clear categorisation of key concepts within the meta-theory, but also summarises new perspectives on the topic. Mixed-use development is theorised in terms of Jacobean and Foucauldian concepts of heterotopia and organic relations in space. The study then tracks the theoretical development of the concept in New Urbanism and Smart Growth approaches, analysing the aesthetic, social, and environmental principles of mixed-use development using idiothetic designs. The study further evaluates the nomothetic evaluation of the socioeconomic functionalities of mixed-use development in terms of social integration, housing and services distribution, travel behaviour, poverty, and crime, and local economic development using positivistic empirical analyses. Another important body of the literature is the regulative policy analyses, which critically evaluate the efficacy of top-down mixed-use policy initiatives and strategies. The study also evaluates the challenge of implementing mixed uses because of the externalities and social costs emerging from incompatible land uses and evaluates emerging research on informal mixed-use development in peri-urban settlements in the Global South.