What term describes a large clustering of service facilities and residential areas near highway intersections that provides a sense of place?

• A. Mall complex
• B. Suburban hub
• C. Central business district
• D. Edge city

Answer: (D)

Edge city refers to a large, mixed-use center that develops at the urban fringe, usually near highway interchanges, bringing together offices, shopping, housing, hotels, and entertainment. This creates a distinct place separate from the traditional downtown and reflects how car-oriented suburban growth can generate a recognizable hub with real functions. It’s different from a single mall complex, which is just a shopping site, or from a central business district, which is the old downtown core. The idea captures why people come to a linked cluster of services and residences at the highway edge and still feel it as a single, cohesive place.