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

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.