Councils hold key to vibrant precincts
Vibrancy and "stickiness" on Perth streets can be achieved through proactive retail management, economic places consultant Nicholas Takacs says.
And local governments were in the best position to revolutionise their local economies with this style of management.
Mr Takacs said finding the right mix of independent businesses was the hallmark of a well-managed street and a successful community.
"Local governments - as the place manager - no longer have to wait for the right businesses to turn up," Mr Takacs said.
"They can be hunted down to trigger local economic and community development."
Last year, Mr Takacs founded A Beautiful City, a company that provides people-counting services to several local governments around Perth.
The counting data allows the councils to monitor the success of their communities and economies.
It is also used as a tool to attract independent businesses and reduce vacancy rates.
And counting in places such as East Victoria Park since July last year shows a direct link between creating "sticky" streets and pedestrian traffic.
Mr Takacs said that since introducing the Albany Highway Activation plan, there had been a 27 per cent increase in foot traffic in the area.
Mr Takacs, a former retail leasing negotiator, musician and economic adviser, is advising the cities of Joondalup and Nedlands and the towns of Claremont and Victoria Park, retailer groups The Fremantle BID, Claremont Now and the Subiaco Village Retailers Association and Raine Square and Kardinya Park shopping centres.
