Here’s your chance to have your say on Auckland’s future. The Council has agreed to push the deadline back to 4pm, Monday 31 October 2011.
There are 3 plans up for comment. The Auckland Spatial Plan, the City Centre Master Plan, and the Waterfront Plan. And the good news is, no expertise is required.
I will make a submission even though I know my voice in the submission process is only small. But it is the collective effect that will make the difference. And you can be assured that the lobbyist who are pushing for the status quo will be ensuring their voices are heard, loud and clear. There are lobbyists out there who will be pushing for Auckland’s urban sprawl to be allowed to continue unabated. The urban sprawl which helps the motor vehicle retain its stranglehold on Auckland and its residents.
My Auckland of 2040 will be one that would allow me to work and play in close proximity to my place of residence. It would have a strong sense of community with a full range of civic ammenities accessible to all. I would have a choice in how I get around. Walking, cycling, public transport would be given the highest priority. The arterial routes and motorways that intersect our city would no longer be the mental and physical barriers that they currently are. There would be lots of green space and all the green spaces would be connected up to make getting around safe and easy. Children will walk and cycle to school. That will be their choice.
Jan Gehl has already told us how lucky we are to have Auckland located in such a fantastic setting. It has everything going for it. It’s North facing, has a beautiful harbour and has plenty of people living there to give it vibrancy. He also pointed out it’s faults. Too many cars. Too many cars clogging our space. People are social creatures. A city needs to be designed around the needs of people. People want to be able to engage socially. And they need to be able to move around easily. Quality integrated public transport is a must. A built environment that encourages walking and cycling is essential. It’s time for cycling to be seen as a transport tool. Here is a description of what that kind of cycling looks like.
Cars are sucking the life out of our city. Until this fact is acknowledged and some bold action taken, progress will be slow. Jan Gehl told us that Copenhagen started their journey over 40 years ago. The Auckland Plan has a target of 2040. It’s a long time to wait. Help get the revolution started today. Make a submission.
Cycling-the non-vehicular way.
Will the quality of the Wynyard Qtr be compromised by these plans… http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10759126
Joel Cayford explains his views on the plans here… http://joelcayford.blogspot.com/2011/10/wynyard-quarter-playground-con-job.html
Heart of the City are concerned with the possibility that Auckland's new play area will be filled up with 4 story buildings. You can respond to their survey here…
http://www.hotcity.co.nz/news/Weve-only-just-got-it-lets-not-lose-it/?i=328
I think, especially for the Auckland Plan (the bigger picture document), we need to harp on about the BIG things:
- Support for the CBD rail tunnel
- Support for the Regional Cycle Network
- Support for containing sprawl
- Support for reducing minimum car parking, and instead, add minimum bike parking rules
For the waterfront plan and the city centre master plan, it's more about the fine-grained stuff, actual projects etc… – but to be honest, I cannot get excited about Heart of the City's concern about a single playground, which isn't even to be deleted, just moved 50m north! At least they aren't skimping the big issues – they support the rail tunnel.
for me, one of the critical issues is making Auckland work for Aucklanders, which it has to to attract and retain the brightest and the best
to do this the Council MUST find a way to work with central government that keeps them happy while resisting some of their more 19th century ideas of cities!
Hi Steve
I do agree – but they will have more leverage with government if Aucklanders resoundingly support a vision of more public transport, more cycling and less sprawl!
Max makes an important point, if there is significant support for a more sustainable city, the government faces the anger of Auckland if they try to bulldoze through their archaic views