The Impact of Urban Form on Downtown Stadium Redevelopment Projects: A Comparative Analysis of Phoenix and Denver

Prior analyses of stadium-focused economic development efforts suggest these projects are multifaceted in scope and one-size-fits-all approaches are rarely successful. This study builds upon prior analyses of stadium development projects and provides a comparative analysis of two stadium projects in Denver and Phoenix, with a focus on the role urban form has on the opposing outcomes of the two projects. Results suggest urban form has an impact on the prospects for success of these projects and that strategies to deal with the urban form of a city should be incorporated into comprehensive plans to revitalize downtown areas. A consideration of urban form is particularly important for polycentric urban areas where the success of downtown economic redevelopment efforts remains largely unexplored and unproven.