Distribution and Fulfillment Center Growth

The growth and proliferation of distribution centers are central to the rapid order-fulfillment models of companies such as Amazon. As these companies seek to reduce delivery times to within the same day (or even within hours), planners can expect to see distribution centers in their communities and should be prepared for the challenges of design, access, and local economic impact that they may pose.

The Zoning Practice issue "E-Commerce and the Future of Land Use" and "What to Do When an E-Commerce Warehouse Comes to Town" from Planning explore the land-use implications and the long-term impacts of distribution and fulfillment centers on communities.