Impairment Charges (Details 2) (Level 3 [Member], Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Impairment of Consolidated Assets [Member]
Summary of significant unobservable inputs
Fair Value	$ 20.5
Valuation Technique	Indicative Bid
Unobservable Input	Indicative Bid
Weighted Average
Impairment of Consolidated Assets - Held For Sale [Member]
Summary of significant unobservable inputs
Fair Value	8.2
Valuation Technique	Contracted Price
Unobservable Input	Contracted Price
Weighted Average
Impairment of Joint Venture Investments [Member]
Summary of significant unobservable inputs
Fair Value	$ 4.7
Valuation Technique	Income Capitalization Approach
Unobservable Input	Market Capitalization Rate revenue growth rate
Weighted Average	8.00%

Contracted price of asset.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	ddr_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Unobservable inputs used in Fair Value Measurements of non-recurring items.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddr_UnobservableInputsUsedInFairValueMeasurementOfNonRecurringItems
Namespace Prefix:	ddr_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Valuation technique used in Fair Value Measurements of non-recurring items.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddr_ValuationTechniqueUsedInFairValueMeasurementOfNonRecurringItems
Namespace Prefix:	ddr_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted Average Range of valuation technique used in Fair Value Measurement of Non-Recurring items.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddr_WeightedAverageRangeOfValuationTechniqueUsedInFairValueMeasurementOfNonRecurringItems
Namespace Prefix:	ddr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate of the assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value and a discussion of changes, if any, in the valuation techniques and related inputs used to measure similar assets in prior periods.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 157

-Paragraph 33

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19296-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesInvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total investments in (A) an entity in which the company has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method. Investments in an entity that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership, (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group, and (D) an entity in which the company has significant influence, but does not have control.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 157

-Paragraph 33

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant