Photo Cred: Hannah Good 2011
Monday, 6 June 2011
Upgrades at Fort Street
As promised here are some photos of the street scape upgrades along Fort Street
Photo Cred: Hannah Good 2011
Photo Cred: Hannah Good 2011
Schools Kill Creativity?
This video has been inspiring to me. Children truly are our future, and this talk has really captured our society today and highlights how we can change. Encouraging creativity through education can have major advantages for our future. Maybe that child who is opened up to his talents in painting will be inspired to make a living out of it - instead of feeling like he has no purpose in life and turning to a negative pathway of life?
I think this video helps to highlight the fact that we can work on community development, we can work on our economy, we can work on our environment, but to suppress our future leaders of their creative opportunities is criminal. We do not know what our future holds, so we have no right to dictate out children's lives and prepare them for a future which we are not even sure of ourselves.
A lasting thought... “Above all, we are coming to understand that the arts incarnate the creativity of a free people. When the creative impulse cannot flourish, when it cannot freely select its methods and objects, when it is deprived of spontaneity, then society severs” John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Civilisation Starter Kit?
I came across this video from TED Talks about DIY machines. New Zealand as an agricultural country could benefit from this a lot I think
Please post with any ideas on this remarkable technology
Please post with any ideas on this remarkable technology
Go You Good Thing!
Auckland has yet again played the right cards.
In the past, connectedness in the city has been some what of a fail. Our once continuous harbour side was chopped up and built to provide ship access during the America's Cup rage. Sometime during this re-development, we lost site of our most important asset - People.
Now, this asset has once again been realised, and with the formation of "Waterfront Auckland", the city has once again become more connected.
The development I speak of is the new Wynyard Crossing in Auckland Viaduct.
Photo Cred: Waterfront Auckland 2011
The crossing (shown above) now allows pedestrian and cycle access from Wynyard Quarter to the heart of the Viaduct Basin. This is such a big advantage as now there are direct routes from both those areas to the main city street. With the future redevelopment of the Auckland Waterfront this connection will be a huge part of its success. Auckland wants to market themselves to tourists, then making its most important feature accessible, straight forward, and eye catching will be a huge attraction to future tourists.
Key Facts
• Bridge length 100m
• Bridge width 5m
• Bridge weight
• Bridge construction cost $2.8m
• Bridge time to build 6 months
• Bridge materials mainly structural steel
• 24 hour Bridge Operation: Time to open 1.5 minutes and 1 minute to shut
I will add further real life photos of this and other developments as they occur. Currently this bridge is still under construction but the deadline is very soon.
To read more information on this bridge follow this link: http://www.waterfrontauckland.co.nz/News/Waterfront-News/Our-Bridge-Is-Up.aspx
In the past, connectedness in the city has been some what of a fail. Our once continuous harbour side was chopped up and built to provide ship access during the America's Cup rage. Sometime during this re-development, we lost site of our most important asset - People.
Now, this asset has once again been realised, and with the formation of "Waterfront Auckland", the city has once again become more connected.
The development I speak of is the new Wynyard Crossing in Auckland Viaduct.
The crossing (shown above) now allows pedestrian and cycle access from Wynyard Quarter to the heart of the Viaduct Basin. This is such a big advantage as now there are direct routes from both those areas to the main city street. With the future redevelopment of the Auckland Waterfront this connection will be a huge part of its success. Auckland wants to market themselves to tourists, then making its most important feature accessible, straight forward, and eye catching will be a huge attraction to future tourists.
Key Facts
• Bridge length 100m
• Bridge width 5m
• Bridge weight
• Bridge construction cost $2.8m
• Bridge time to build 6 months
• Bridge materials mainly structural steel
• 24 hour Bridge Operation: Time to open 1.5 minutes and 1 minute to shut
I will add further real life photos of this and other developments as they occur. Currently this bridge is still under construction but the deadline is very soon.
To read more information on this bridge follow this link: http://www.waterfrontauckland.co.nz/News/Waterfront-News/Our-Bridge-Is-Up.aspx
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Auckland You Beauty You!
Finally Auckland has done something for the pedestrian!!
I stumbled across another Herald article today which made me SO happy. There is finally going to be a ton of redevelopment which focuses on making streets more pedestrian friendly. These changes will be managed by the Auckland Councils' Senior Urban Designer - Ludo Campbell
Redevelopments include Queen Street (Going from a 4 lane highway to a 2 lane highway with wide footpaths) and Aotea Square which has been fully redeveloped into an iconic open space in the heart of the city.
Other small developments which I have noticed from my wanderings in town include new paving along Fort street. This whole area is insanely busy during the night so not only is this area more aesthetically pleasing, it is also far safer for the large number of crowds that walk it.
I will update this blog with photos of streets that have been repaved later this week as I cannot get to them at this point in time.
These redevelopments have said to have gone underway due to the vision for Auckland City to be a World Class City. They are not wrong. Comparing Auckland to cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, Vancouver, Paris, London and New York might be a stretch, but it is important to look at what those cities do well - and duplicate it. I sadly must report I have not been to any of these cities, but from what I know, these places are very pedestrian friendly in their main city centres.
To summarise, I wanted to give Auckland some praise for this brilliant step forward to being a World Class City. There is still a long way to go - especially with the World Cup coming up, but this, is definitely a great priority.
To read the article for yourself follow : http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10730431
I stumbled across another Herald article today which made me SO happy. There is finally going to be a ton of redevelopment which focuses on making streets more pedestrian friendly. These changes will be managed by the Auckland Councils' Senior Urban Designer - Ludo Campbell
Redevelopments include Queen Street (Going from a 4 lane highway to a 2 lane highway with wide footpaths) and Aotea Square which has been fully redeveloped into an iconic open space in the heart of the city.
Other small developments which I have noticed from my wanderings in town include new paving along Fort street. This whole area is insanely busy during the night so not only is this area more aesthetically pleasing, it is also far safer for the large number of crowds that walk it.
I will update this blog with photos of streets that have been repaved later this week as I cannot get to them at this point in time.
These redevelopments have said to have gone underway due to the vision for Auckland City to be a World Class City. They are not wrong. Comparing Auckland to cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, Vancouver, Paris, London and New York might be a stretch, but it is important to look at what those cities do well - and duplicate it. I sadly must report I have not been to any of these cities, but from what I know, these places are very pedestrian friendly in their main city centres.
To summarise, I wanted to give Auckland some praise for this brilliant step forward to being a World Class City. There is still a long way to go - especially with the World Cup coming up, but this, is definitely a great priority.
To read the article for yourself follow : http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10730431
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Under-used, Under-invested, Under-estimated
Open space really is the Beez Neez, Am I right?
How many people look at space and think "this is definitely open space right here"?
Too many people see the cement and the buildings and forget that open space can be found almost anywhere, you just need to look for it. In Auckland, there is actually a lot of potential for this change in attitude. Take a look at Britomart Square - Downtown.
Photo Cred: Google 2011
How many people looked at that space and envisioned a concert of epic proportions to be held there? Laneway in 2010 was the beginning - I believe - to this change in attitude. If you were not there, then words will not do it justice, but the music, the setting, and the environment was life changing. Just because it has a cement carpet does not mean it is not open space.
Photo Cred: Google 2010
Indie music is an expression of the creative soul, it was born in the back alley streets and garages of the most famous cities, where else would one express this as a culture? Downtown of course!
So far i have talked about music, but what about art? Follow this link to check out the video of Jun Arita and his art for Red Bull Stereopticon.
http://sideroom.com/magazine/2010/08/red-bull-stereopticon-auckland-video/
Jun Arita's art was displayed on an overhead projector for all the public to see in the very same square. This highlights how spaces can be used for different avenues of creativity. It would not have been the same without the downtown-esc backdrop.
Let us move to Aotea Square. This is another prime example of an open space with a cement carpet. Although Aotea will take the cake for being a larger permanent open space. This is another opportunity where the creative mind can be displayed. Since its redevelopment, Aotea square has hosted Laneway 2011, The Arts and Crafts Market, Cultural Festivals, Art Festivals and more!..
Photo Cred: Google 2011
I wish to make it clear that open space can be found in many different forms, before I did planning, I did not see it this way. I figured "if it doesn't have trees or grass - it ain't public space".. Oh how wrong I was. From only these two examples you can see what I'm talking about! My challenge for all my blog followers is to find a unique open space in and around Auckland City, snap a few shots of it, and post it here. It's time to get these places out there for all to enjoy!
How many people look at space and think "this is definitely open space right here"?
Too many people see the cement and the buildings and forget that open space can be found almost anywhere, you just need to look for it. In Auckland, there is actually a lot of potential for this change in attitude. Take a look at Britomart Square - Downtown.
How many people looked at that space and envisioned a concert of epic proportions to be held there? Laneway in 2010 was the beginning - I believe - to this change in attitude. If you were not there, then words will not do it justice, but the music, the setting, and the environment was life changing. Just because it has a cement carpet does not mean it is not open space.
Indie music is an expression of the creative soul, it was born in the back alley streets and garages of the most famous cities, where else would one express this as a culture? Downtown of course!
So far i have talked about music, but what about art? Follow this link to check out the video of Jun Arita and his art for Red Bull Stereopticon.
http://sideroom.com/magazine/2010/08/red-bull-stereopticon-auckland-video/
Jun Arita's art was displayed on an overhead projector for all the public to see in the very same square. This highlights how spaces can be used for different avenues of creativity. It would not have been the same without the downtown-esc backdrop.
Let us move to Aotea Square. This is another prime example of an open space with a cement carpet. Although Aotea will take the cake for being a larger permanent open space. This is another opportunity where the creative mind can be displayed. Since its redevelopment, Aotea square has hosted Laneway 2011, The Arts and Crafts Market, Cultural Festivals, Art Festivals and more!..
I wish to make it clear that open space can be found in many different forms, before I did planning, I did not see it this way. I figured "if it doesn't have trees or grass - it ain't public space".. Oh how wrong I was. From only these two examples you can see what I'm talking about! My challenge for all my blog followers is to find a unique open space in and around Auckland City, snap a few shots of it, and post it here. It's time to get these places out there for all to enjoy!
Its All the Rage
A recent Herald article about teen drinking caught my eye, and too put it bluntly.. I was horrified!!!
The article states that:
What has caused this horrific trend?
According to Catherine Spooner of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre in Australia one of the causes of alcohol abuse in young people is there attitude. She states that a low sense of social responsibility, high tolerance of deviance and lack of sufficient ties to community groups such as family, school and churches can seriously affect adolescents attitudes. So what can we do?
I think - from a planning perspective - we have to look to community development and land use.
Community Development: If there is a lack of sense of community and place, then we are fighting an upwards battle. We need to create areas that focus on the demographic. We need to invest time and money into creating facilities that support young children such as youth groups, sports groups and the like. Children need a sense of social responsibility, without it they could turn to even worse things that acceptance through alcohol.
Broken families are often a major cause of adolescents rebelling - so focusing on strong family support groups is also something that can help the cause.
Land Use: Well according to a report by Robert Reynolds, Harold Holder and Paul Gruenewald of California Prevention Research Centre, alcohol availability in a community has a serious affect on the under age drinking trend. It has said that there is generally a better trend if alcohol retailers are further away from playgrounds and school facilities.
This is an example of land use planning in Bikenhead where there is serious fail
Photo Cred: Hannah Good 2011
As you can see the photo, there is an alcohol shop to the left directly across the road from Birkenhead primary school. To me this is a massive problem. Especially since the alcohol shop is open at 3pm when kids are let out of school.
Although this is just on example, mistakes like this can be the difference between an adolescent making a mistake and turning towards alcohol abuse, and a child growing up with a sense for social responsibility.
There is a lot more involved in this issue, but in my opinion, simple planning steps like land use and community development can play a huge role in a child's life.
To read more on the herald article follow this link: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10715367
To read more about common causes of alcohol abuse follow: http://informahealthcare.com.ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz/doi/pdf/10.1080/09595239996329
To read more on community development and land use measures follow: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz/doi/10.1046/j.1360-0443.92.6s1.8.x/pdf
The article states that:
"Children as young as nine are among hundreds of people under 16 being treated by specialist clinics for alcoholics and drug addicts in greater Auckland"
What has caused this horrific trend?
According to Catherine Spooner of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre in Australia one of the causes of alcohol abuse in young people is there attitude. She states that a low sense of social responsibility, high tolerance of deviance and lack of sufficient ties to community groups such as family, school and churches can seriously affect adolescents attitudes. So what can we do?
I think - from a planning perspective - we have to look to community development and land use.
Community Development: If there is a lack of sense of community and place, then we are fighting an upwards battle. We need to create areas that focus on the demographic. We need to invest time and money into creating facilities that support young children such as youth groups, sports groups and the like. Children need a sense of social responsibility, without it they could turn to even worse things that acceptance through alcohol.
Broken families are often a major cause of adolescents rebelling - so focusing on strong family support groups is also something that can help the cause.
Land Use: Well according to a report by Robert Reynolds, Harold Holder and Paul Gruenewald of California Prevention Research Centre, alcohol availability in a community has a serious affect on the under age drinking trend. It has said that there is generally a better trend if alcohol retailers are further away from playgrounds and school facilities.
This is an example of land use planning in Bikenhead where there is serious fail
As you can see the photo, there is an alcohol shop to the left directly across the road from Birkenhead primary school. To me this is a massive problem. Especially since the alcohol shop is open at 3pm when kids are let out of school.
Although this is just on example, mistakes like this can be the difference between an adolescent making a mistake and turning towards alcohol abuse, and a child growing up with a sense for social responsibility.
There is a lot more involved in this issue, but in my opinion, simple planning steps like land use and community development can play a huge role in a child's life.
To read more on the herald article follow this link: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10715367
To read more about common causes of alcohol abuse follow: http://informahealthcare.com.ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz/doi/pdf/10.1080/09595239996329
To read more on community development and land use measures follow: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz/doi/10.1046/j.1360-0443.92.6s1.8.x/pdf
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