Potential benefits of close proximity of taxi ranks to retail developments

Taxi ranks within retail developments (RD) in South Africa are usually situated far from RD. Owners of RD regard taxi ranks as a nuisance. This is because the noise and traffic congestions associated with taxi ranks. The aim of this paper to investigate the potential benefits of bringing taxi ranks in closer proximity to RD. Interviews with built-environment consultants were conducted and a thematic data analysis was conducted to analyse the data. The findings reveal that the benefit of bringing taxi ranks closer to RD include increased in-store footprints in RD, potential increased employment, and social responsibility for the local community. There are, however, hindrances that prevent the development of taxi-ranks closer to RD. They include municipal by-laws and lack of users' involvement in the planning phase of RD. Integration of sustainability and regenerative design principles have the potential to eliminate some of the nuisances from by taxi ranks. Unless taxi ranks are brought closer to RD, businesses within those developments will continue to lose out on the benefits that closer proximity of taxi ranks to RD could bring to businesses within those developments.