Vacant shops and buildings attract decline; temporary functions — pop-up shops, circular craft centres, flexible housing — keep street fronts lively and space in use. Every percentage point less vacancy is worth €16.70 per m² in housing value; the Netherlands averages 7.5% retail vacancy at 3.5 m² of shop floor per household. Refurbishment costs €50–€200 per m².
Per model neighbourhood: around €46,000 in societal value against €34,000 in costs. Flexible and transformation housing also avoids demolition and new construction: fewer raw materials, less CO₂, and residents do not have to move. Source: Transform Zuid-Holland.