Achi news desk-
Lack of parking, high volumes of traffic, affordability and construction are the main reasons why some Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) residents are staying away from the downtown core, according to a recent study.
Who visits the city centre
A Thursday news release from Narrative Research, a marketing research firm, says more than 500 HRM residents participated in their survey.
Of those residents, the study found that half of them travel to the city center for fun or recreation at least once or twice a month, while 37 percent of participants said they visit a few times’ the year.
One in 10 residents – 11 per cent – said they rarely find themselves in the city centre.
Over half of the participants – 55 per cent – agree that there is a lot to do in the city centre, while 17 per cent disagree.
“Most city center experiences are described as positive, with restaurants, the beautiful waterfront, and cultural events being the biggest draws,” read the statement.
What would attract more visitors to the city centre
As part of the study, residents were asked what would make them attractive to visit Halifax’s downtown area.
The Narrative Research poll reveals, on the whole, responses focused on increasing parking, having a wider variety of cultural events, improving safety and offering better public transport to the city center off the peninsula.
The study also looked at what facilities could encourage people to visit the city center more often.
The most common answers included:
- 49 percent would like to see an aquarium in the city area
- 48 per cent would like a new performing arts centre
- 42 per cent would like to see more family friendly attractions
Ideas they were not so interested in included:
- 31 per cent would like to see a new art gallery
- 20 percent would like to see a new football stadium
What stops people from visiting the city centre
Six out of 10 residents feel the city center is a safe place to go, while 18 per cent do not.
Forty-seven percent say they feel at home when they visit, compared to 29 percent who do not feel at home in downtown Halifax.
The study also found that people living with disabilities are much less likely to say that the city center is a safe place to visit or that they feel at home when they visit.
Only a third of those who took part found that the city area had become more lively, according to the results of the survey.
The Naratif Research survey was conducted between January 26 and January 30, and included 507 Halifax residents who were 18 years of age or older.
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