The car: saviour or destroyer of the urban shopping district? – RetailDetail EU

Can shopping streets survive without cars? Many retailers seem to think not, but cities all over Europe are banning or limiting car access to revitalise their centres. What do the data say?

Team car vs team walk

Retailers protesting against limiting car access to city centres is anything but new, but those in the French city of Lyon are fighting the planned pedestrianised zone in their city centre up to the highest judicial level. Without cars there can be no accessibility and ultimately no more shopping streets, is the retailers’ argument. On the other side are people who prefer streets without cars whizzing by to do their shopping.

The two are diametrically opposed, mobility engineer Mathieu Chassignet sums up the debate in The Conversation. The first line of thought wants to facilitate car traffic and increase parking spaces in the hope of attracting out-of-town customers, while the second group wants to give pedestrians more space, in the hope of creating a convivial atmosphere that encourages consumption. While both sides want an inviting city centre, the way is difficult to reconcile.

But is it really true that shoppers come by car? And do pedestrians indeed spend more? A closer look on the data paints a surprising picture.