Single-use urban areas

Sterile business districts
Sanitized urban development
Inadequate mixed-use urban redevelopment

Nature

The development in modern cities has resulted in the emergence of single-use areas, dictated by the narrow monetary interests of bankers and developers. Such areas consist of a collection of glossy buildings unrelated to the locality. There is no provision for street-related activity and the buildings do not address the street. There is therefore a form of no-man's-land which is exceedingly alienating to anybody who has no purpose relating to that single use. Complexity of use and need, including the role of the ordinary citizen in the daily economic, cultural, social and political life of the city, has been increasingly neglected.

Background

The issue of single-use urban areas gained prominence in the mid-20th century as rapid urbanization and modernist planning principles led to the segregation of residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Scholars and urbanists began to recognize the resulting inefficiencies and social fragmentation, particularly as car dependency and urban sprawl intensified globally. By the late 20th century, international case studies and comparative research highlighted the widespread consequences, prompting renewed interest in mixed-use development and integrated urban planning.

Incidence

Single-use urban areas are prevalent in cities worldwide, with vast districts dedicated exclusively to residential, commercial, or industrial functions. This spatial segregation contributes to increased commuting times, underutilized infrastructure outside peak hours, and diminished urban vitality. The phenomenon is particularly pronounced in rapidly urbanizing regions, where planning policies and market forces reinforce mono-functional zoning, affecting millions of urban residents and shaping the daily experience of city life on a global scale.
In 2022, the city of Toronto, Canada, faced criticism for its extensive single-use zoning in suburban neighborhoods, which limited access to essential services and contributed to traffic congestion and social isolation, prompting calls for zoning reform.

Claim

Single-use urban areas are a critical problem undermining our cities. By separating homes, workplaces, and shops, they fuel traffic congestion, pollution, and social isolation. This outdated planning wastes land, discourages walking, and makes public transport inefficient. We must urgently reject single-use zoning and demand vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods that foster community, sustainability, and economic vitality. Our cities’ future depends on it—single-use urban areas are simply unacceptable in the 21st century.

Counter-claim

The concern over single-use urban areas is vastly overstated. Cities have always evolved around specialized zones—residential, commercial, or industrial—because it’s efficient and practical. Mixed-use development is not a universal solution; forcing it everywhere ignores local needs and market realities. There are far more pressing urban issues—like affordable housing and public transit—that deserve our attention. Obsessing over single-use zoning is a distraction from real, urgent urban challenges.