The Business Case for Walking - Counting Walking to Make Walking Count in Auckland, New Zealand ( breakout presentation )

Abstract

Background Auckland, New Zealand, like many western cities, went down the path of auto-dependency in the last sixty years, systematically measuring and providing for motorised vehicles while accommodating people on foot and bike. To challenge the auto-oriented paradigm, we need to count walking to make walking count. Auckland Council developed a Business Case for Walking to understand the amount and value of walking in Auckland City Centre. Aims The business case work aimed to demonstrate that: walking is the dominant mode of transportation in Auckland City Centre; that businesses make locational decisions with walkability as a key driver; that public realm is something that is both valuable and can be valued; that walking has strong economic value in its own right and that delaying pedestrians to benefit car movement comes with a big economic cost. Methods Using a range of tools from such as simple measurement; interviews with key decision-makers; measuring the value of public realm; and adapting conventional traffic tools such as the cost of delay to motorists to people on foot, to build the evidence base for walkability. Results The Business Case for Walking demonstrated that by literally putting your best foot forward by having walkability front and centre in transportation is not only good for transportation, health and social cohesion but makes total economic sense. This in turn justifies ongoing investment in enhancing walkability as a key tool to deliver liveable, vibrant, economically flourishing cities. Conclusion You have to count (and value) walkability to make walking count and demonstrate its benefits to decision-makers.