DESIGN OF CITIES RACHEL BUTLER

HOW DO WE WIN BACK PUBLIC SPACE? HOW CAN WE INTEGRATE PEDESTRIANS INTO A VEHICLE DOMINATED SOCIETY?

GLOBAL CONTEXT As of 2008 more than half of the worlds population were living in towns and cities, this number will only increase over the coming years, predicted to be at approximately 5 billion people within the next 30 years. This increase is expected to primarily occur in the smaller towns and cities. Cities offer more facilities than what is commonly available in rural areas, e.g. healthcare and education. Cities generate jobs and income. By creating denser urban areas we are relieving the pressure on our natural environment and areas of biodiversity by reducing land-use area.

Over the next 20 years Aucklands population is set to rise to over 2.5 million people, with upwards of 45,000 residents living in the city centre. With the increase in the amount of people residing in the city centre there will be an increased demand for “quality urban family housing” There will be a city centre rail link operable by 2021, accompanied by a direct rail link to the airport. There will be an additional Waitemata Harbour crossing within the next 10 to 20 years. A new international convention centre will be operable by 2017.

AUCKLAND PLAN The Auckland Plan is a combination of the visions for the entire Auckland area: focused on their goal to “become the worlds most liveable city” and incorporates goals for the next 30 years. transport and housing shortages giving children and young people a better start creating more jobs protecting the environment.

THE UNITARY PLAN how to create a higher quality and more compact Auckland how to provide for rural activities how to maintain our harbours and marine environment. better design of buildings and public spaces affordable housing

CITY CENTRE MASTERPLAN Focused entirely on the Engine Room of the city, the former CBD area, the city fringe and the supporting districts (Newmarket and Takapuna). The plan considers these areas and the increasing population that they will have to support, while realising a solution to making it “more accessible and an attractive place to live and work”. How to forge a better link with the city fringe to make the two areas interconnected and share a more cohesive relationship. Eight main objectives which comprise how Auckland will become “the worlds most liveable city”.

MOVE 2: EAST-WEST STITCH The vision for the Western edge of the city is to transform the main streets (Nelson, Hobson, Cook, Victoria & Wellesley) from being areas of heavy traffic into a more pedestrian friendly environment. The Master Plan proposes reducing the amount of traffic on these roads by limiting the number of vehicle lanes to accommodate widened footpaths and more pedestrian crossings.

Victoria Quarter will be developed into residential-led, city neighbourhood. Built with reference to the district’s former industrial use, it will be created with a strong focus on family life providing plentiful opportunities for family outdoor space and play areas. Incorporating the shared space that will be produced from the development of Nelson and Hobson streets, Victoria Quarter will have a significant connection to the motorway, to Freemans Bay and the Freemans Bay School. The district will connect to the city centre via Federal Street which will become part of the wider city laneway circuit.

By closing off some of these main streets people will have less space available for cars. Reducing road space = other transport options Physical and visual links to rest of Auckland city By converting the western edge of the city into a pedestrian friendly environment the council will be drawing more people to live in there, it will once again become a desirable location. The heart of the city will be extended by providing more shopping and dining opportunities near Victoria Park.

MY HUNCH My hunch is that Auckland needs to better develop a balance between pedestrian-use, cars and public transport, In order to make it a desirable residential area there will also need to be sufficient public and private space for people to occupy their hours of leisure, providing quality of life which is commonly more readily available for residents living outside the centre of the city

FEDERAL STREET Potentials for working as a laneway? The laneway is proposed to run as a loop around Queen Street and Britomart My design for Federal Street will incorporate: Wellersley Street, Victoria Street, Hobson Street, Albert Street, Queen Street, Fanshawe Street, Quay Street and Mayoral Drive

REQUIREMENTS FROM THE CCMP: aesthetic balance between cars and pedestrians, pedestrian-traffic only another form of travel to shorten the walking distance. cafes, restaurants and retail shops. become a ‘High Street’ better built form more attractive shared space scale and speed better suited to pedestrian traffic.

DESIGN PRINCIPLES Progressing sustainability People walk in the sunlight Public life Access to and within the city Open space

Lyon, France Work began in the late 1980s to push cars out of the central city, this has been partly achieved by creating underground carparks beneath newly renovated squares They use green, blue and lighting plans to create a functional city; the green plan focuses on public spaces, the blue plan involves the city waterways which intersect the city centre while the lighting plan uses artistic and functional lighting in the streets, squares and the building facades, emphasising the central importance of public space

Portland, Oregon Public space was recovered with the purpose of the city changed from the car being central to creating an environment where the streets incorporate pedestrians, cars and public transport Trams were discarded from Portland in the 1950s only to be reinstated in the 1980s The urban blocks are smaller- creating a different relationship between building mass and public space; with more space between buildings there are more walking routes

Melbourne, Australia Instead of surrendering to the motor vehicle, Melbourne kept its streets as its vital area for public space. Using a policy of quality and vitality the streets remain as pleasant walking routes. An underground subway ring and a tram network operate alongside car traffic. Melbourne has maintained the cities traditional qualities by keeping and investing in their tram service; also expanding on the concept to involve restaurant trams and art trams.