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NEW YORK CITY-The development of larger warehouses close to main transportation routes to manage the rise in imported goods will continue to reshape American communities, according to a new white paper released today by global real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield.

"We wanted to get a handle on the pivotal role commercial real estate is playing in meeting the demands of consumers and the dramatically changing global trade environment," says Maria Sicola, senior managing director of Research at Cushman & Wakefield says of the paper. "As more warehousing and distribution centers are being built near ports and major inland hubs, some communities and even our rail system are springing to life."

Record rates of consumption are being fueled by the influx of low-cost goods being manufactured in low-cost countries and imported through a handful of major ports, says Sicola. "These goods are flooding into the US through a few major ports and then distributed into markets throughout North America." She says supply chain management, which includes shipping, warehousing and distribution, has become the top priority for many businesses today. "The implication for real estate owners, developers and urban developers is enormous."