Media Release for immediate distribution
28th July 2010
The streets really are paved with gold says UK walking expert
Streets designed to favour pedestrians add at least 5 percent to the value of houses on them, says a visiting British
expert on walking.
Transport planner Martin Wedderburn co-wrote “Are the streets paved with gold? Research into the value of street design” (http://www.cabe.org.uk/files/paved-with-gold-summary.pdf)
“We showed how investment in good street design brings quantifiable financial returns and represents good value for
money.”
“People value improvements to the streets where they live. People also value improvements to the places they spend time
in, generating benefits to local businesses.”
“Pedestrian-friendly design has wider benefits in terms of increased physical activity, and social and community
impacts.”
Martin Wedderburn is a keynote speaker at the New Zealand Conference on walking and liveable communities, on 2-3 August
in Wellington. http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/conference2010/home
The conference is run by Living Streets Aotearoa, the New Zealand organisation for people on foot and walking-friendly
communities.
The conference is preceded by the presentation of the Golden Foot Awards, which showcase walking innovations, and
facilitate the sharing of new ideas across New Zealand.
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