edge city
/ɛdʒ ˈsɪti/
NOUN
1. Suburban business and commercial center
A concentration of business, shopping, and entertainment facilities located outside a traditional downtown or central business district, typically in an area that was previously residential or rural.
1.1. Business and commercial districts
Used to describe suburban areas that have developed into significant centers of business activity, office buildings, retail establishments, and entertainment facilities outside traditional city centers.
Synonyms
- suburban business center
- suburban commercial center
- outlying business center
- suburban employment center
Examples
- The development of a new highway has sparked interest in transforming the rural area into an edge city.
- Edge city developments often emerge as economic and commercial centers outside the traditional urban core.
- The skyline of the edge city was marked by towering office buildings and shopping complexes.
Related Words
- business district
- central business district
- commercial hub
- office park
- shopping district
- retail center
- downtown
- metropolitan center
1.2. Urban growth and suburban development
Used in urban planning and metropolitan development to describe newly established urban concentrations that emerge beyond traditional city centers as residential areas evolve into major economic and commercial destinations.
Synonyms
- suburban urban center
- peripheral urban center
- outlying urban center
Examples
- The expansion of residential communities is reshaping the landscape of the edge city.
- Living near an edge city can offer the convenience of suburban life with access to urban amenities.
Related Words
- urban sprawl
- suburbanization
- metropolitan expansion
- urban decentralization
- residential suburb
- exurb
- metropolitan area