Urban retail fabric and the metro: A complex relationship. Lessons from middle-sized Spanish cities

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In the last few decades, changes in consumer habits have been observed in household economies. These habits now focus on large retail chains and shopping centers out-of-town rather than independent retailers sited, for the most part, in shopping districts or in the town center. One factor in this trend is the retailer’s accessibility to the customer. Because of this relationship, the retail market share is affected by the development of an efficient transport system, such as the Metro. This paper examines both short- and long-term positive and negative interactions between the retail sector and the introduction of the Metro using empirical evidence from three middle-sized Spanish cities (Bilbao, Málaga and Seville). It also analyzes how retailers assess the influence of a nearby Metro station on their business. Finally, the conclusion is drawn that a new planning model for urban transportation infrastructure works is beginning to prevail with the backing of smallbusiness association lobbies. This model seeks to minimize the effect of works-related negative externalities on urban retail fabrics but can never guarantee a happy ending for independent stores.