TALKING POINT: We need more pedestrian-accessible shopping areas, like the rest of the world

Many people are worried about what will happen if Hobart is made less car friendly – but what if it’s made more people, and retail friendly, just like the rest of the world, asks Louise Grimmer.

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PICTURE some of the world’s iconic shopping areas: Carnaby Street in London, Gion in Kyoto, Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich, Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, Stroget in Copenhagen and P.C. Hoofstraat in Amsterdam.

What do these bustling, vibrant and welcoming shopping districts have in common? They are places designed for people.

They are so-called sticky places with features created to encourage people to visit and stay. People who stay longer tend to spend more money, and come back time and time again. But how do authorities encourage people to stay, spend and return?

By ensuring cities and towns cater for everyone who uses them — visitors, workers, business owners and residents.

We know the places that work.

The evidence confirms the types of places people want to shop, eat, interact and connect with others.

Of course, every city is unique, with its own challenges and opportunities, but increasingly the places that work have fewer cars, more opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists, and more space in the street for trade, dining, cultural expression and social exchange.

Cars have been a dominating force on city streets since the modernisation of cities after World War II.

Many cities are now shifting away from private cars towards cycling and walking infrastructure, reduced or restricted parking and increases in public transport.

Many people coming into Hobart are reliant on cars and the problem of traffic flows and carparking requires input from a number of actors in addition to council.

Hobart City Council is requesting public feedback on plans to reshape part of Elizabeth St.

Recently there have been concerns raised about what will happen if car traffic is slowed or reduced in the city.

One of the main concerns is the perception this leads to a reduction in retail sales and business trade.

International, peer-reviewed research shows the opposite is true.

Researchers have found well-planned improvements to public spaces boost footfall, which increases retail trade.

There is weak or contrary evidence that parking influences retail viability, and decades of research on the detrimental effect of conventional parking.

Through improving urban places, businesses are encouraged to open, employment and business diversity increases, social exclusion decreases and consumer and business perceptions improved.

Investing in better streets and places for people to walk provides a much more competitive return compared with other transport projects.

Researchers found walking and cycling projects increase retail sales because walking provides the opportunity to look at window displays and discover new businesses (rather than flying past in cars) and walkers can visit there and then.

Research shows people who walk to shops spend much more than people who arrive by car.

Better streets and better places create a virtuous circle by raising positive perceptions of the area as well as the self-esteem of the people using the area.

This pride of place’ promotes investor confidence, contributes to quality of life and influences where people choose to shop.

Overwhelmingly people want to shop in areas that are safe, clean, attractive, green, with little or no traffic, and with wide footpaths with plenty of street dining, seating and activities such as parklets, art and cultural installations.

These are the kinds of places we should strive to provide.

Anything less provides no benefit for businesses, residents, workers and visitors to our city.

I’m not aware of any local authority outside Australia considering revitalisation plans for cities and towns that involve increasing traffic in shopping areas.

The opposite is true. In London, Barcelona, Brussels, Oslo and Paris, councils and their communities are working to reduce the impacts of car traffic, improve walkability, increase cycle lanes, slow and calm traffic flows.

Christmas shoppers mingle on Carnaby Street on December 14, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Dennison/Getty Images) Pic. Images Getty

Around the world, and in Australia, improvements for city centres are being designed to enhance the beauty of shopping and dining areas through greenery, art and cultural installations and fewer cars.

We know visitation and spend at local businesses is encouraged through pleasant and engaging walkable experiences including on-street dining and seating. Strategic thinking about the sorts of places people want to visit are at the forefront of efforts from leading place makers, local authorities and business advisory groups.

Of course, this all makes total sense. If we want locals and tourists to come to our cities, to spend time connecting with others, to spend money and come back again, we must ensure that cities are welcoming places.

Consider the alternative. If the city remains as it is, without the proposed streetscape development in Midtown, nothing will change.

The area already has a wonderful mix of independent stores and eateries, but we will have less greenery to enjoy, less walkability, reduced safety for pedestrians and traders, fewer opportunities for community and social interaction.

Amagertorv, part of the pedestrian Stroget in the old town in Copenhagen.

We will pass up the opportunity to activate our city streets with vibrant street dining, artwork, and amenities. Is this really what critics of the council’s proposal are calling for? More cars and more carparks? This doesn’t sound particularly wise to me.

The development in Midtown being considered by the City of Hobart is about making sure our central business district becomes one of those sticky places.

A place for people, regardless of whether we drive, walk, cycle or take public transport. The proposed improvements are aligned with best practice in leading cities.

It will have a positive impact on trade, increase social interaction and safety for pedestrians and business owners, provide vibrant green space and allow for increased physical activity and community connection.

The improvements will support public health, economic development and social cohesion.

Doing nothing is easy. Taking action is always risky, but the rewards will be worth it. And now is the time to take action, because what is at stake is the future of our city, our collective identity and our sense of place.

Dr Louise Grimmer is a retail expert from the University of Tasmania who has managed international retail stores. She is a member of the City of Hobart’s Economic Recovery Business Consultative Group and of the UTAS Southern Transformation Expert Reference Group.