Abstract
Urban decay is caused when retail shopping centers are abandoned and become blighted. Urban decay is a problem facing the nation, which is prevalent in California. Environmental issues need to be examined when development is proposed. Urban decay, as an environmental issue, has become more prevalent in the last decade. This analysis evaluates the potential for a proposed retail development in the City of Woodland, California to cause urban decay. This analysis is based on population growth estimates from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), California Department of Finance (DOF), and UC Davis. Information was collected through published books, case law, journal articles, broker reports, policy documents and other materials from the City of Woodland, and interviews with individuals and brokers involved with retail development. It is also based partly on an analysis I did for a contract with the City of Woodland at my place of work, Economic and Planning Systems, Inc. This analysis concluded that in 2015, the first phase of development, there is a slight potential for urban decay. This analysis concludes that there are ways that this urban decay could be mitigated. By 2025, the second phase of development, is estimated to be adequate demand to fully support the project.