PLACEnews April 2010 Issue 6
Auckland's Changing Urban Landscape
High quality urban design projects and environments do not happen by coincidence. It requires a rigorous process of discussion, planning, review, and collaboration.
This approach is creating a distinctive change to the urban landscape in Auckland, a result of processes created by Auckland City Council.
Urban Design group manager Ludo Campbell-Reid at Auckland City Council says, “We acknowledged that if we wanted the private sector to support our vision, we had to set the example ourselves.”
All council Capex projects in public spaces that cost more than $200,000 require urban design sign-off by the Urban Design Review Team (UDRT). Projects are reviewed based on their alignment with Council’s six urban design goals and international best practice standards. The UDRT consists of a multi-disciplinary team representing various council departments who can advise on creating quality place-making.
Auckland City Council has now delivered various successful projects with the support and input from the UDRT including:
• The Queen Street upgrade which has been recognised by the New Zealand Institute of Architects, the New Zealand Property Council and the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects.
• St Patricks Square
• Central Connector – a busway from the CBD to Newmarket
To create an impact with private development in the city, the council established the Urban Design Panel (UDP) to review external projects. A first in New Zealand, the panel is supported by various industry groups including Property Council New Zealand, NZIA and NZPI. The UDP considers all development in the city centre, both new buildings and substantial alterations.
“The panel focuses on how the building or open space relates to the public space, street and surrounding buildings, and is especially interested in how the proposal fits into and improves the existing environment,” explains Ludo.
Members of the UDP are practitioners and academics, who are specialists in the areas of urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, development, property planning.
With an effective process in place, the council recently established the Urban Design Waterfront Review Team (UDWRT) in collaboration with Auckland Regional Holdings. The UDWRT provides input to the development on Auckland’s waterfront including the new Viaduct Events Centre, Gateway Plaza, North Wharf and Te Wero Bridge.
These and other projects are projects that Aucklanders use, value, and feel good about. They are helping to create a sustainable city with economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing. This is no coincidence.
