edge cities
/ɛdʒ ˈsɪtiz/
NOUN
1. Suburban commercial and business centers
Concentrations of business, shopping, and entertainment facilities located outside traditional downtown areas or central business districts, typically in places that were previously residential or rural.
1.1. Business and commercial centers
Used to describe suburban areas that have developed into major concentrations of offices, businesses, shopping centers, and commercial activities outside traditional city centers.
Synonyms
- suburban business centers
- suburban commercial centers
- outlying business centers
- suburban employment centers
Examples
- Edge cities are characterized by their rapid growth and concentration of businesses and retail centers on the outskirts of major metropolitan areas.
- Many professionals prefer to work in edge cities due to their convenient location and access to amenities.
- Edge cities often serve as employment hubs, drawing workers from surrounding suburbs.
Related Words
- central business districts
- downtowns
- commercial districts
- office parks
- shopping centers
- business hubs
- urban centers
1.2. Urban development and suburbanization
Used in discussions of urban expansion and decentralization to describe newly developed urban centers that emerge beyond traditional city boundaries and reshape metropolitan areas.
Synonyms
- suburban urban centers
- peripheral urban centers
- outlying urban centers
Examples
- The development of edge cities has reshaped the urban landscape and challenged traditional notions of city centers.
- Urban planners study the dynamics of edge cities to understand the implications of suburbanization and decentralization on urban growth.
Related Words
- urban sprawl
- suburbanization
- metropolitan expansion
- urban decentralization
- residential suburbs
- metropolitan areas