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Opinion

PERSONAL COMMENTARIES OF PLACEMAKING EXPERTS

Chapman Taylor Director Jens Siegfried believes that the Covid-19 emergency has highlighted the pressing need for mixed-use urban regeneration, as the trend towards online shopping accelerates. Drawing on Chapman Taylor’s experience, he writes about the way forward for urban regeneration, with a particular emphasis on a well-considered mix of functions and context-sensitive design.

“We from HyperIn partnered with Helsinki-based retail placemaking agency Propdea Oy to contribute a more holistic approach to serve the industry decision makers.”

„The reopening showcased our strength as a pan-European platform, as we shared the experiences of each country reopening, starting with Germany in mid-May, followed by all of the countries we are operating in.“

“It is evident that digital reach for malls will be more important than ever before as the world emerges from Covid-19.”

“Although it is still too early to determine changes in customer behavior, our preliminary assessment after the first few weeks of the reopening is optimistic in terms of sales and inflows.”

“Now, ULI Europe’s latest report, ‘Reshaping Retail–Accelerating Change’, forecasts that the impact of Covid-19 will accelerate the restructuring of the retail property sector, even more so in the United Kingdom.”

However, according to Otto Ambagtsheer, CEO of VIA Outlets, the way in which customers shop will change, at least on a temporary basis. For example, in some of the company’s markets, they will not be able to let guests try on clothes before they buy them, and clothes that are returned will need to be quarantined for three days.

At the end of 2020, we intended to celebrate the opening of Nivy Station and welcome our first customers. We planned to change the face of Bratislava by working together and presenting a unique public space designed for travelling, shopping and relaxation. Due to the effects of the pandemic and state implemented measures, the possible opening date has become Spring 2021, when the project will be in construction readiness.

If tenants experience a substantial drop in turnover–25% or more – they can convert the quarterly advance payment of rents into monthly rents and, if necessary, can request a month by month rent deferral, provided they substantiate their request with information regarding turnover.

“The lessor & lessee relation reflected in traditional lease models we are currently familiar with will transform into partnership models where risks and benefits will be shared.”

“As far as offline is concerned, we can expect consumers to be increasingly sensitive to emotions versus price, quality versus quantity as well as health and proximity.”

“The only good news for stationary retail is that the “digital natives” (can) seize their opportunities only to a certain extent.”

“We do expect the same developments like in China by late spring or beginning of summer at our malls in Central Eastern Europe and in Turkey.”

“The corona pandemic reveals and emphasizes, among others, the very simple basic fact which is crucial to a healthy business survival illustrated by the dependency of all different business parties on each other’s survival.”