WALKING & REGIONAL GROWTH SESTRAN Conference 4 November 2015

WALKING & REGIONAL GROWTH

SESTRAN Conference 4 November 2015

LIVING STREETS SCOTLANDPart of the UK charity for everyday walking

VISION

• Tackling the decline in walking;

• Making walking the natural choice;

• Helping people enjoy and benefit from the simple act of walking;

• Creating changes, big and small, to make streets fit for walking.

A walking nation where all generations walk on streets that are fit for walking by:

WALKING INITIATIVES

• Our Walk to School project instills good habits that can last a lifetime.

• Our community street audits identify changes that are often easy to put right and will get people walking.

• Our expertise helps put walking at the heart of public policy from a national to a local level

Delivering results

INTRODUCTION

1. Walking background

2. Delivering growth

3. Added value and wider benefits

4. What’s next: Steps towards healthy regional ecomomies

TRADITIONAL REGIONAL GROWTH ISN'T PRETTY

LETS LOOK AT SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

WALKING IN CONTEXT

SOME DRAWBACKS1. Utility journeys over

3 miles might take too long

2. Other modes are sometimes faster

3. Not recommended for heavy freight

AN IMPORTANT MODE

1. IN 2013, 23% OF TRIPS WERE MADE ON FOOT

2. BUT 50% OF ALL TRIPS WERE LESS THAN A VERY WALKABLE 3KM

REFERENCE: TRANSPORT SCOTLAND, AUGUST 2014

But not always viewed as real transport

TOP OF THE TRANSPORT HIERARCHY1. Supports healthy active lives

2. Is near zero carbon

3. Most inclusive form of transport - includes nearly everyone

4. Space & infrastructure efficient

5. Walking links up all public transport journeys

6. Almost totally free!

A STRONG STARTING POINTSource: Transform Scotland, Warning Signs Report 2014

DELIVERING GROWTH THROUGH WALKINGThe evidence

THE PEDESTRIAN POUND

People on foot spend more locally

“The most vibrant places have the most vibrant economies”

MORE WALKING = MORE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

• Case studies suggest well-planned improvements to these public spaces can boost footfall and trading by up to 40%.

• Investing in better streets and spaces can increase retails sales by 30%.

A WORLD OF EVIDENCEGlobal examples of impact

In Dublin, the redevelopment of the Temple Bar District led to a 300% increase in employment before the economic boom.

The Pedestrian pound p.22

IMPACTS ONGROWTH

http://www.wired.com/2014/06/walkable-cities-income-education/

Motor City

WIDER BENEFITS

Walking at the heart of regional growth strategies

PART OF A JOINED UP STRATEGY

Source: Lets Get Scotland Walking, Scottish Government 2014

LOW CARBON

Source: Transform Scotland, Warning Signs Report 2014

HEALTHY REGIONS?

HEALTHY ECONOMIC GROWTH

“Analysis conducted in 2013 show a range of estimated primary and secondary care costs for five disease areas associated with physical inactivity. At a national level the costs to the NHS have been calculated at around £94.1 million annually”

Evidence shows a return of approximately £8 for every £1 invested in health walk and path development projectsSource: Lets Get Scotland Walking, Scottish Government 2014

INCLUSIVE GROWTHTackling inequality / younger people in work

EQUALITY

Source: Glasgow Centre for Population Health 2015

THE FUTURE

Active places, healthy people, smarter economic growth

OTHER FORMS OF GROWTH ARE AVAILABLE

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2279029/Edinburgh-traffic-chaos-Krispy-Kreme-doughnuts-opens-Hermiston-Gait.html

Economic Health Warning!

Passed sell buy date!

THE FUTURE OF GROWTHWon’t be motorised

SIMPLE STEPS: SMARTER GROWTH

A SMART SCOTTISH REGION WILL:1. Recognise walking as a core part of the

transport system;

2. Prioritise invest in town centres as key economic and strategic assets;

3. Make investments that deliver multiple benefits, which underpin economic development – especially health;

4. INVEST IN WALKING.

THANK YOU

Stuart.hay@livingstreets.org.uk

Tel. 0131 243 2646

@LStreetsScot

Stuart Hay, Director Living Streets Scotland