Relevance of Shop House?

It is a sad case that 2 person cannot escape from fire died on the spot. They were contained in the 2nd floor when fire set free on the 1st floor. The back portion of 1st floor and whole of 2nd floor have been converted to hostel for workers. This is a safety issue in the commercial building. While commercial buildings have been approved for business purpose, many especially those floors on higher part are vacant and idle. The floors are later used for residential prupose or many have turned into workers hostel. This bring in the issue of safety and also the question on fulfilling the objective of planning. Planning of commercial floor space is usually decided upon the growth of population in the small town centre and based on economic activities and anticipation of in flow of investors for the bigger commercial town centre. If the space is used for non commerical purpose, then indirectly it indicated that there is either oversupply of commerical floor space or diminish of market demand over the shop office concept. Many big corporates prefer to move into Class A office or those with better facilities and addresses like lift or escalators, car parking facilities and etc. Many do not mind to pay for having a premium address or in the prime commercial area. This bring in the question of suitability of shop office or shop house development in urban area. Or even the storey height is in doubt now. Many convenience and comparison goods activities like retails, services are occupying the ground floor of building due to the movement of pedestrian and visibility. Many do not want to be at 1st floor as potential customers do not want to climb up the stairs if possible. Given the choice, they will patronise other shops offering similar services. The shopping behaviour is changing now. Even some prefer to patronise shopping centre for convenience services rather than visiting the shop house for fear of safety and comfortable reason. In a way, the concept of shop house and its' effective functionality within the scope of urban planning in cities is diminishing. Shall we continue allowing shop house to be developed? While project proponents might want to offer properties easily absorb by the market and without having long term committment, the impact of having shop house in the town centre is left with local authorities to handle. Local authorities have to look after the problem of cleanliness of unattended back lanes and drains, provision of car parking facilities which are often insufficient from the beginning, enforcing on the obstruction of corridors and etc. If these services can be centralised in a complex, then the need to encounter these problems is for sure can be minimised. Taking the case of Bandar Utama, no shop houses are built, but instead a complex in the name of CentrePoint was built with all neighbourhood facilities are provided. The complex becomes a must visit place of all residents for their convenience needs. The area is well maintained and ample parking lots are provided. The neighbourhood area is funactional well. This vindicates that a township development without the existance of shop house is workable and shall be the way forward, if a city wants to be in forefront. For offices and comparison goods, leave it to the tower office, I think.