As new undeveloped land becomes scarce in San Diego and the economic downturn has put pressure on existing developments, particularly retail and... » More

As new undeveloped land becomes scarce in San Diego and the economic downturn has put pressure on existing developments, particularly retail and commercial spaces, the trend has shifted towards infill redevelopment. Hillcrest’s Uptown District Shopping Center, developed three decades ago, has been heralded as the type of infill major cities should now strive for. Developments such as this one, however, are not easy to achieve nor are they to emulate. This research is a study of what makes the development of the Uptown District a particularly successful case from an urban design perspective. This research examines the unique redevelopment process of the site and as a result, the site’s emphasis on addressing community form has made it a part of the neighborhood. The aim is to create an understanding of the challenges and rewards of infill development, and to engage members of the development process into the discussion of reviving empty developments.

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