The definition of a mixed use development according to the collaborative efforts of The International Council of Shopping Centers, the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, the Building Owners and Managers Association International and the National Multi Housing Council, is:

"A real estate project with planned integration of some combination of retail, office, residential, hotel, recreation or other functions. It is pedestrian oriented and contains elements of a live-work-play environment. It maximizes space usage, has amenities and architectural expression and tends to mitigate traffic and sprawl."