This discussion paper, commissioned by the Heart Foundation (SA), was released in November 2011. The paper brings together evidence around the financial benefits to retailers and residents in making commercial streets more walking and cycling friendly. The report states that improvements in street design can add an average of up to 4.9% to rental values of shops and houses located on the street.

Traditionally retailers have pursued more car access and parking spaces, and resisted measures to promote walking and cycling, as they have been under the impression that this is what shoppers demanded. This discussion paper clearly suggests it otherwise.
Walking and cycling to local shops is good for business and good for the local economy and is essential to the success of revitalisation strategies.
Streetscape enhancements add value to an area and are associated with higher rents and the attraction of new businesses. In addition there is good evidence to show that improving walking and cycling environments raises private property values by significant amounts.
Good for Busine$$: The benefits of making streets more walking and cycling friendly | 1.7MB PDF