tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17633663160928651032012-02-02T14:52:40.517+13:00Reflections on Auckland PlanningJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.comBlogger4211100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-57364341510965223492011-12-30T11:32:00.000+13:002011-12-31T09:53:59.930+13:00Auckland Transit by Alan HoffmanThese slides were shared with me by Alan Hoffman of Mission Group, USA, at a conference on public transport held in Sydney in 2002. I was there to talk about the design of the Northern Busway, as Chair of North Shore City Council's Works and Environment Ctte. Alan's presentation is as relevant to Auckland's situation today as it was then. He begins with the age old questions which have been askedJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-84313849296646417962011-12-30T10:16:00.000+13:002011-12-30T10:51:25.645+13:00Parnell to Museum = Steep WalkIf you follow this blog you may have noticed some grumpy postings about the location currently proposed by Auckland Council for a railway station at Parnell. These include: Parnell Pet Project Politics, Parnell Station - Shakespearean Tragedy, Parnell Station - Poor Process Continues.
A big part of the justification cited for the location is that it affords easy access to the Museum, despite Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-87177403677482782002011-12-22T10:27:00.000+13:002011-12-29T07:30:01.532+13:00Patterns of Development
Competition time.... This post contains six images from Google Earth. I was looking for overhead railway station locations. Bridge stations. Knew of some and went looking. I was overwhelmed by the patterns you can see there. Question for you: Which part of the world are these places? Whittakers White Chocolate Macademia Nut slab to the winner. (Clue: 3 are from one country, 3 are from another Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-44915868647422554382011-12-22T00:47:00.000+13:002011-12-29T07:55:36.109+13:00Productivity Commission too PCThis post is about housing affordability comparisons. It is a contribution to the discussion following the release of the Productivity Commission's preliminary report on housing affordability in New Zealand.
One of its recommendations is that more land at Auckland's urban edge should be released for urbanisation. A popular rallying call for free market advocates who know the price of commoditiesJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-2488333511337642092011-12-21T14:28:00.000+13:002011-12-21T14:30:12.659+13:00Public Interest and Queens Wharf
Just wanted to show what Auckland Council is allowing, incrementally, on Queens Wharf. Right now. I took this picture from the end of Queens Wharf looking out to the Harbour entrance. You can see Mt Victoria and North Head to the left. A signature view from Auckland's public waterfront.
I took the picture about a year ago.
This image is from a blog I posted a couple of months ago, showing how Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-25272206961823689992011-12-21T13:15:00.006+13:002011-12-21T13:55:07.650+13:00Straighten Auckland Bus ServicesThis is a map of Auckland's tram routes when it had tram routes. These routes shaped Auckland's development for many years. The car and motorways have shaped Auckland since. We do have a rudimentary public transport system, primarily based around a cluster of bus services that have been developed over time. Many cities have developed this way. Many cities have rationalised and developed their busJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-41363186968514962052011-12-14T15:09:00.010+13:002011-12-15T09:25:53.445+13:00Parnell Station - Poor Process ContinuesYesterday I made my submission to Auckland Council's "Auckland Plan". Part of it was about Parnell Station, and I used this slide to show the 3 options that used to be on the table. (Both Auckland City Council and Auckland Regional Council reports preferred the Parnell Overbridge site as the best location.) In my last blog on this: Parnell Station - Shakespearean Tragedy I described my Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-11733586766483470192011-12-11T10:33:00.022+13:002011-12-11T17:31:37.854+13:00Biking - TelstraClearChallengeI had the pleasure of taking part on Sunday in the TelstraClearChallenge cycling event. The 15 km "bike across the bridge along the busway and end up at Smales farm" event was what I was up for. These pics show riders gathering at Shelley Beach Road for the start....Here you can see they look a bit worried. The start was delayed by about an hour. A policeman explained that apparently the buses Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-25110883212835139812011-12-05T13:26:00.007+13:002011-12-06T13:58:01.505+13:00Watering Fonterra's InterestsA little while ago I quoted from an excellent NZ Herald conference report of a presentation given by Fonterra about its reliance on water in New Zealand. I took exception to what Fonterra had to say about water in New Zealand. In their presentation they said: "Our rainfall averages two metres a year, more than double the 0.8m world average....."While that statement might be true, it is also true Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-16578076765053718232011-12-05T12:45:00.005+13:002011-12-06T09:08:10.641+13:00Parnell Station - Shakespearean TragedyMore than a few planners regard the proposed Parnell Railway station - and the process used to secure it - as another Auckland Shakespearean tragedy....A few weeks ago I gave some background detail.Last week there was a helpful NZ Herald article explaining the relentless steps being progressed by Auckland Council to get this third-rated option off the starting blocks. It mentioned that a Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-33654659400610797702011-12-02T08:50:00.004+13:002011-12-02T09:43:07.117+13:00ETS = Market FailureI don't know about you, but I worry about the Emissions Trading Scheme. The idea of it. That it is the best way to stop our atmosphere from changing back to what it was before life on earth....Good old Wikipedia defines the ETS like this:Emissions trading is a market-based approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants.[Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-15342285070461072362011-12-02T08:26:00.003+13:002011-12-02T08:42:24.469+13:00Love Auckland's Shared SpaceYou can see that the shared space idea in Auckland's CBD is growing on Aucklanders. They are relaxing into it.......really relaxing into it...The scooter parking has an elegance about it - especially as there is no car parking. But I do think there is a need for a bit of high capacity bike parking....Interesting how cars can feel a bit out of place on a road... tolerated as long as they go nice Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-65125714623941989902011-12-01T17:25:00.003+13:002011-12-01T18:00:58.269+13:00Bike Racks Full at Devonport FerryIt doesn't seem that long ago, that there were no bike racks at Devonport Wharf for Devonport Ferry users. We had to fight quite hard on Council and Devonport Community Board to get some installed.These photos are of bike (and scooter) parking at Devonport Wharf. There are now four bicycle racks. And you can see that the main ones are full. "Build them and they will come", seems to be a truism Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-15523977777946765682011-11-29T17:10:00.005+13:002011-11-29T17:18:33.271+13:00Devonport in Black and WhiteA few pictures of the village of Devonport....click on an image for an enlargement...Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-51803520226550875722011-11-13T16:29:00.006+13:002011-11-16T18:57:57.955+13:00Renewing Christchurch & Rethinking Resilience: 1This and the next 3 posts contain extracts from a research report investigating the Christchurch Central City area bounded by the 4 Avenues post earthquake. It is in the form of a Cultural Plan. You can have the whole report if you are interested. It looks at the Draft Central City Plan prepared by Christchurch Council, and contains original material and photographs drawn from site visits....Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-4613242961038620762011-11-13T16:22:00.003+13:002011-11-13T16:39:45.584+13:00Renewing Christchurch & Rethinking Resilience: 2WHAT IS A CULTURAL PLAN? Christchurch is like every city in that it has a personality that reflects its history, diversity, “sense of place”, and the values, needs, and dreams of its residents. Many things contribute to how people experience their city and local community: traditions, neighbourhoods, weather, landscape, natural environment, schools, leadership, businesses, parks, housing, and theJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-25184702552631987642011-11-13T16:13:00.005+13:002011-11-13T16:37:38.093+13:00Renewing Christchurch & Rethinking Resilience: 3While it is not the purpose of this report to rewrite the history of Christchurch, it is important to appreciate the role of Christchurch institutions in educating and instilling the reality of earthquake risk in the past. Local institutions that might be entrusted with that responsibility could include: newspapers, the library, the museum, and the council. Schools might also provide locally Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-31899438698941091302011-11-13T16:03:00.006+13:002011-11-13T16:36:25.809+13:00Renewing Christchurch & Rethinking Resilience: 4The City Life introduction section of the Draft Christchurch Central City Plan states: “Christchurch’s redeveloped Central City will offer diverse living choices in new communities and celebrate the city’s rich cultural diversity with inviting public spaces and new facilities, attracting people to what will be one of the great little cities of the world…” The activities and projects described in Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-46445912205897089632011-11-13T15:47:00.005+13:002011-11-13T15:59:26.418+13:00Sustainable Business Network on QueensHosted by the Sustainable Business Network and sponsored by ATEED, Sustainable City Showcase 2011 is aimed to show off the inspiring New Zealand businesses, government, community and non-profits leading the way towards a sustainable future. The event took place in Shed 10 on Auckland’s Queen’s Wharf.According to SBN's description: "Within Shed 10 are a series of zones, following the journey Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-31205359236788975032011-11-13T14:31:00.006+13:002011-11-13T15:42:23.963+13:00What's POAL Really For?This table shows how much it costs to ship a 20 foot container from Hamilton, via Ports of Auckland, to a destination outside Sydney. It doesn't include the cost of packing or unpacking the container. (NB: It is difficult to get specific quotes for container shipping costs. These figures are mid-range.)So. Your packed container - which must weigh less than 20 tonnes - gets picked up by a truck inJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-45771529535333841662011-11-10T13:15:00.015+13:002011-11-10T22:42:05.254+13:00Wherefore Ports of Auckland?Ports of Auckland (POAL) growth plans have been built unquestioned into Auckland Council's economic development strategy for Auckland. These assume a further 20 hectare reclamation into Waitemata Harbour and a raft of supporting public infrastructure.Just what assumptions underpin these plans, and do they stack up against international best practice? Auckland Council's economic development Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-31412549792089346662011-11-03T20:58:00.002+13:002011-11-03T21:06:17.782+13:00Submission: Economic Development StrategyIntroductionAuckland faces challenges because of its geographical remoteness (which is also a strength), small local economy (which produces independent and confident children), and small scale of businesses (which is useful in building start-ups which can then spread internationally). These words are partly drawn from the Auckland Council Draft Economic Development Strategy document section: Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-72250856164145876502011-11-03T15:49:00.003+13:002011-11-03T19:34:14.986+13:00Submissions A: Waterfront PlanIntroductionAfter the Rugby World Cup event there is much to celebrate in what has been achieved on Auckland’s waterfront. And there is much to support in the Waterfront Development Agency’s (WDA) first Draft Waterfront Plan. This DWP is fresh and appealing. It contains a well-presented set of goals and objectives, and a clearly described set of proposals and timelines – most of which will dependJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-16245398890236967482011-11-03T15:47:00.003+13:002011-11-03T19:33:54.766+13:00Submissions B: Waterfront PlanWhere is the Masterplan?With its emphasis on projects and proposals, and its 3 year planning horizon, the DWP does not pretend to be a Masterplan. However Auckland has been promised a Waterfront Masterplan from the re-organisation of Auckland local government. There appear to be a number of “givens” in the DWP (eg Cruise on Queens, Wynyard Quarter structure plan, Ports expansion plan). No optionsJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-29846036181128725952011-11-03T15:43:00.003+13:002011-11-03T19:33:34.969+13:00Submissions C: Waterfront PlanWaterfront Public Space and Urban ParklandThe DWP emphasises the need for a “connected and accessible waterfront” (Pg 21). This goal is worthwhile but it sidesteps the more fundamental need for a waterfront urban park – though the images and idea of a Foreshore Avenue (Pg 31, central pictures) – suggest some recognition of that need. The experiences of crowd management during the RWC have broughtJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-74988649063419759132011-11-03T15:40:00.003+13:002011-11-03T19:32:55.811+13:00Submissions D: Waterfront PlanPorts Growth PlansWhat happens to Auckland’s Port in the next decade or two will have a major influence on the rest of the waterfront. Anticipated effects from an expansion of Ports and import/export shipping include traffic effects (both in the water and on road and rail), view effects, and demand for berthage which could be allocated to other uses – eg cruise ships. The WDA acts for Auckland inJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-88766546718877936432011-11-03T15:38:00.002+13:002011-11-03T19:32:33.851+13:00Submissions E: Waterfront PlanPrinces WharfIt appears that Princes Wharf has been omitted from the DWP. Except for its suggested retention as the primary cruise ship terminal in the short term. No project proposals are mentioned in the DWP for Princes Wharf (Pg 10). I am advised that recent surveys by cruise ship operators of passengers who have used Pricnes Wharf facilities are positive (if councillors have not seen this Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-28781755126721374612011-11-03T15:32:00.004+13:002011-11-03T19:32:13.587+13:00Submissions F: Waterfront PlanCruise on QueensBecause of the anticipated volume of cruise ship visits to Auckland there is an obvious attraction in using Queens Wharf out to the medium term to support that industry. However I believe it is essential that authorities recognise that Auckland is poorly served in terms of waterfront public space/capita. This was evidenced by the crowding that occurred on Auckland’s waterfront (Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-31097878338949428902011-11-03T15:26:00.003+13:002011-11-03T19:31:51.365+13:00Submissions G: Waterfront PlanSuccessful Place Making at Wynyard QuarterOne of the most positive initiatives in the DWP is the reference to :”considered place-making”. Due to a combination of quality planning (arising from the urban design framework process and RMA plan changes), a pause in the development of sites along Jellicoe, the available of budget for public investment – a cluster of public places has been constructed Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-42993573014751856762011-11-03T15:21:00.003+13:002011-11-03T19:31:30.636+13:00Submissions H: Waterfront PlanRMA Plan Change for Queens WharfPrior to the redevelopment of Wynyard Quarter two major plan changes were prepared, notified, heard and adopted. These plan changes to the Regional Plan Coastal and Auckland City Council’s Isthmus Plan allowed development options to be considered and provided for in those plans, while also ensuring that various other matters were appropriately provided for (Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-90295587230146435202011-11-03T12:57:00.003+13:002011-11-03T19:31:10.688+13:00Submission 1: Draft Auckland PlanIntroductionThe Council is to be commended in planning for the Britomart Rail Loop project, and in clearly stating related implementation and funding strategies. This long term project can be a transformational for the city. However, every long term plan has short term objectives and short term projects which will inevitably come due for delivery before the Britomart Rail Loop. The Council’s planJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-28395502073778800032011-11-03T12:53:00.002+13:002011-11-03T19:30:48.135+13:00Submission 2: Draft Auckland PlanNew ferry services at TakapunaI note the idea of a ferry service from Browns Bay, Takapuna through an into Auckland City has been included in the transport planning map. This idea has been around for many years and has had some supporters particularly before the Northern Busway and its extensive feeder bus service network was built. As former Chair of North Shore City Council’s Infrastructure Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-44468723174957007292011-11-03T12:51:00.002+13:002011-11-03T19:30:27.735+13:00Submission 3: Draft Auckland PlanMalls and Liveable CitiesProbably the most sigificant issue that was debated during the various plan changes that accompanied the Local Government Auckland Amendment Act (2004) was over the planning for Malls. Painted by many as the harbinger of death to local shopping (as witnessed in Takapuna after the construction of its shopping mall, then at Milford after K Mart, then Glenfield’s mall Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-4695925588112126752011-11-03T12:39:00.003+13:002011-11-03T19:29:59.448+13:00Submission 4: Draft Auckland PlanParnell Railway StationThe City Rail Link Plan map (Pg 166) shows a railway station at Parnell. As readers of this submission will be aware I am concerned that the particular location for this station that is being advocated for within Auckland Council is the location known as “Cheshire Street”. This option ranked bottom of a set of options that were canvassed by Auckland City Council, Auckland Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-75404727894832762602011-10-26T09:17:00.025+13:002011-10-27T18:03:38.311+13:00Planning for Auckland PlanningThe Planning School at University of Auckland gave me the job this year of teaching Resource Management Act District Plan writing to Year 2 Bachelors in Planning students. The images here show the first slides of the main lectures I prepared for the course. This was an interesting experience. It made me reflect on the work that planners actually do - especially in councils - and it required me toJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-56605927601369927962011-10-26T07:43:00.007+13:002011-10-26T10:59:34.798+13:00Queens Wharf = Queens ParkThis TV3 picture tells quite a story.... which I suspect some will want to forget.... the red gates holding them back....The main point of this posting is to underline what Auckland learned about its waterfront during the Rugby World Cup. We learned that Aucklanders will flock to their waterfront when they are invited. Over one million visits to Queens Wharf during the RWC event. But we are ThirdJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-20507696442624674292011-10-25T16:53:00.007+13:002011-10-26T10:58:55.482+13:00Sapporo Stadium Space DomeThe Sapporo Dome is a stadium located in Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Japan, and is primarily used for baseball and football. It is the home field of the baseball team Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and the football club Consadole Sapporo. BTW - note the green rectangle... The Sapporo Dome opened in 2001 with 41,580 seats. In late 2009, renovations increasing the capacity to 67,400 were finished. These Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-2183133987670358272011-10-25T16:12:00.006+13:002011-10-26T10:58:28.582+13:00Highway Sound InsulationDriving on the motorway, through Chiba Prefecture in Japan (on my way to the Highway Conference in Kuala Lumpur) I couldn't help noticing the structures used there to insulate surrounding buildings from the noise of motorway traffic...The exceptions were the industrial areas. They had no sound insulation....But this sort of treatment was common. Solid barriers for sound waves, with some added Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-2422666913681394162011-10-25T15:50:00.003+13:002011-10-26T10:57:48.881+13:00Energy Saving and InsulationIt's not surprising that other countries are discovering the benefits of conservation and energy efficiency. But I was a bit surprised by this advertisement in Malaysia's The Star newspaper.The text runs like this: Cooling costs are no small matter for buildings and homes in tropical countries. The excessive use of air-conditioners for cooling are a huge energy drain, and are a major contributor Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-15375252925380083622011-10-25T14:38:00.006+13:002011-10-26T10:57:00.752+13:00Sabotaging Parnell StationRumour has it that I am being charged with sabotage of the proposed Parnell Railway Station. Cllr George Wood is facing similar accusations. Apparently because he has written to the Auditor General expressing concerns about the way the Parnell Railway Station project is being gerry-mandered through Auckland Councillors and through Auckland Council processes.A couple of weeks ago I did write to NZJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-48716546796968802232011-10-24T17:34:00.011+13:002011-11-03T11:34:05.568+13:00Talking Earthquakes & Fission in JapanThis would be one of the more unusual presentations I have every given. It was to Japanese students learning English, and it was with my daughter and a class she works with as a JET in Sapporo in Japan. The brief was - as you can see - Nuclear Power, earthquakes, New Zealand and Japan. Managed to weave into this a YouTube clip with the All Blacks haka before they played Japan.... There is a tall Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-14736157113294321522011-10-18T17:52:00.008+13:002011-10-18T22:16:23.150+13:00Port Plans Will Cut ViewsThis map shows part of the inner Waitemata Harbour. Devonport is to the North - and you can make out the Mt Victoria and North Head volcanic cones. You can also make out Queens Wharf and Princes Wharf - and more particularly the Port. The Waterfront Development Agency, with the support of Auckland Council, recommends that the Port be almost doubled in size...The Auckland Council Master Plan, and Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-33126241796921992402011-10-17T16:48:00.016+13:002011-10-18T16:15:50.833+13:00Serious Public Space ProvisionHere's my daughter and a view from the Sapporo Tower, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. You can see Odori Park stretching into the distance. It is located in the heart of the city. Odori Park is about 100 metres wide and 1600 metres long. It is a fantastic public space. An example for Auckland to consider. Sapporo is a new city by Japanese standards. Building started around 1850. Population now is Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-35985960655610518032011-10-16T18:41:00.008+13:002011-10-16T19:43:56.990+13:00Kuala Lumpur Mobility: NotSpent a few days in Kuala Lumpur last week. Was giving a Plenary presentation at the Annual Highways Conference run there by Marcus Evans in the Hilton Hotel. Seen here, in the left of this photo. I was in a nice room on the 13th floor...This Google Earth image shows the hotel (ringed in yellow). What I wanted to show you was what it is actually like trying to get anywhere in the vicinity. And Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-82881611219866176072011-10-16T15:58:00.006+13:002011-10-18T16:12:23.341+13:00Wynyard Quarter Playground Con JobThis picture features prominently in the Auckland Council Waterfront Development Plan. I think it was taken from the top of one of the cement silos. Great picture. Symbolises all that the public have come to love about the Wynyard Quarter. It is called Silo Park after all. So it feels like a park, the section with seating and cildren's playground and wide open spaces. It feels like a park becauseJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-85217648056457917262011-09-27T15:06:00.009+13:002011-09-28T08:14:14.434+13:00Crowd = 200,000! Who's counting?There's been a lot of guesstimating going on about exactly how many people descended on Auckland's waterfront that fateful Friday opening of the RWC when it all turned to custard and the blame game set in. There's been numbers up to 200,000 bandied about, almost as a justification of success. The independent report by lawyer Chris Moore appears to assume this guesstimate for his assessment. Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-45947869138912228942011-09-23T08:27:00.006+12:002011-09-23T13:34:47.357+12:00Auckland Plan - Users GuideThe Auckland Council has published 4 plans and invites submissions from citizens. These must be in by October 25th. Through NZ Herald, Deputy Mayor Hulse worries there might be more than 3000 submissions and they might not be able to be heard. Apparently - in law - any citizen who wants to be heard can request to be heard, and Council must meet that need. Cllr Hulse is seeking advice about this..Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-29142834046381380732011-09-23T07:43:00.006+12:002011-09-23T08:27:05.892+12:00Don't Blame Fullers!Those who blame Fullers for queues and delays at each end of the Devonport/CBD ferry service during the big Rugby World Cup Party celebrations a couple of Fridays ago, make the same mistake as those who blame Veolia for what happened to the train services. As newspaper reports have gradually peeled layers off the onion of that rather public Auckland failure, it has become clear that while Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-41995919988603286042011-09-19T08:41:00.006+12:002011-09-19T09:11:07.736+12:00Queens Wharf on SundayWent across to Party Central for the Samoa v Wales game on Sunday. Took the ferry. Half full I guess on the 3:15 crossing for a 3:30 game start. Queens Wharf looked pretty sparse. But the queue was at least 400 metres long - fairly off-putting - but it was moving at a slow walking pace. With all those barriers and channels you did feel a bit like lambs entering a freezing works. Surely there Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-9242145758723623312011-09-15T22:57:00.008+12:002011-09-16T00:42:52.729+12:00Parnell Pet Project PoliticsRecognise these two faces? Two peas in a pod. Both let nothing stand in the way of pet projects. Both wanted the character sheds on Queens Wharf demolished. Both want a mega cruise ship terminal on Queens Wharf.Both have track records of delivering personal pet projects, no matter the cost, no matter the fallout, a deal's a deal. Man oh man. Good qualities if you want a champion for a good Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-25829462495917502952011-09-13T05:33:00.009+12:002011-09-14T07:59:42.433+12:00Auckland Rail Blame Game (2)I thought you'd like this crowd control system in Victoria, Australia. "....The officers and horses are equipped with riot gear to protect them from any indirect projectiles or attempted assaults, as well as reflective tape to aid visibility. Mounted police are often employed in crowd control because of their mobile mass and height advantage...."Yesterday, Monday after Friday's rail chaos, there Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-67462371542961934052011-09-11T12:55:00.009+12:002011-09-12T22:30:04.687+12:00Auckland Rail Blame GameDecades of neglect and under-funding are the fundamental reason for the fragility of Auckland's commuter rail system. Central and Regional Government each share some of the responsibility for the delicacy of Auckland Rail which comes under strain at peak time - like any network system.But it's not that simple. We should be able to do better with what we have. The public should be able to rely on Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-8014700390028170702011-09-10T08:48:00.021+12:002011-09-11T12:51:34.632+12:00Waterfront Big Day OutPhoto essay of the big day before a big night. This is the Waka Prow carving that greets you on Te Whero Island, heading toward Wynyard Quarter on Auckland's waterfront. I took my bike there yesterday - just after lunch - Friday 9th September. Day of the Rugby World Cup opening party. You couldn't have wished for better weather...Had to dismount going over the bridge. Already getting congested...Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-77705209996356259482011-09-06T13:26:00.004+12:002011-09-06T14:23:12.577+12:00Parnell Station Jumps the QueueAuckland Council recently unveiled aspects of its planning work. Generally it looks good, but it is peppered with classic Auckland ad-hockery (not sure if that's a word, but you'll get my drift. This blog and two others below (Waterfront Conflict and MUL Buster) explain why I think this. The draft Auckland City Centre Masterplan reveals the possibilities for the future of Auckland’s city centre Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-44880960866540924552011-09-06T13:07:00.007+12:002011-09-06T13:26:15.389+12:00Filling Christchurch GapsI was in Christchurch over the weekend and biked around to see how everything looked and what was happening. The number of empty sites is what strikes you. The empty spaces. So many prime sites to choose from...They are a problem for any thriving area. This is a corner property in the Merivale Shopping area on Papanui Road. A challenge for the town planners and property owners...Everywhere there Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-70510183447702718252011-09-06T11:28:00.004+12:002011-09-06T11:45:27.769+12:00Auckland Plan to Bust MULIt's getting interesting as Auckland Council opens the Kimono a little and we get to peek inside...But I'm not sure I like some of what I see, or maybe I'm just confused by it.Auckland Council has been considering the Auckland CBD Masterplan (which - by the way, I think should be moving to something more like "Central Activity District", rather than "Engine Room"... how post-industrial....). ThisJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-82019498827326405712011-09-06T08:15:00.009+12:002011-09-06T11:28:00.695+12:00Auckland Waterfront Plan ConflictTransformational Move 8 - Revitalising the Waterfront - Water City...This is the heading for the part of the Auckland CBD MasterPlan draft (voted on by Auckland Council at its Future Vision Ctte meeying on August 31st) that deals with the waterfront.Interesting that this is given advance airing on this agenda. Before the Waterfront Development Agency has said much publicly. Or released its own Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-13515676313555860452011-08-21T10:05:00.006+12:002011-08-21T16:53:31.679+12:00Wynyard Quarter Attracts & DetractsTalk about people places.... Take a bow Auckland.... Take a bow Auckland Regional Council, Auckland City Council, and Sea + City. You take credit for the years of decisions, allocations, and planning that underpin the public legacy we can all enjoy at Wynyard Quarter.The place attracts and caters for young people. Youth who might only be seen on the waterfront for an event at the Vector Arena. Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-76429513781740723692011-08-21T10:02:00.005+12:002011-08-21T18:40:22.740+12:00Unitary Plan Pros & ConsShe did a good job. Penny Pirrit. Manager Regional and Local Planning for Auckland Council. Presenting Auckland Council's current ideas about consolidating all of Auckland's RMA planning documents into one plan, one Unitary Plan, at the University of Auckland "Fast Forward 2011" lecture on August 17th.
In this posting I will report from my notes of the lecture, interspersed with a few comments Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-37114376055268245992011-08-06T09:03:00.010+12:002011-08-06T09:49:02.102+12:00Auckland Waterfront FantasticI went down to the Waterfront this morning for an opening celebration. There was a Maori Pouwhiri at sunrise. Waka. Classic boats lined the wharves. And so did the people. The public spaces and places down here are a revelation. Auckland has done itself proud. Go there. Walk around. And enjoy....Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-1597057471443118562011-08-06T09:02:00.005+12:002011-08-08T08:47:54.453+12:00AMETI Traffic Sewer Still On TrackI was asked to give a lecture on the AMETI project to Masters in Planning students at Auckland University, who are investigating urban design aspects of the Tamaki Transformation project. I wanted to give a bit of the planning history and put what's happening there in a political planning context....As far back as 1946 the then Ministry of Works had designs on the corridor for a new highway. The Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-47671838766276567372011-08-05T20:29:00.004+12:002011-08-05T21:03:18.231+12:00Floods in USA vs Earthquakes in NZI'm doing some lecturing in the Planning School of Auckland University at the moment and get to attend some interesting talks from visiting experts. Like Wayne Feiden from Northampton in the US of A. He talked about natural hazard management in the US. It was extremely interesting to learn what happens there. Especially when we know waht has actually happened here in Christchurch. This slide Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-9162324899306636962011-08-05T19:32:00.003+12:002011-08-05T19:45:31.887+12:00Council takes Rail high groundI am delighted by Auckland Council's new found pragmatic and forthright approach to the CAD Rail Loop project implementation and funding. (CAD = Central Activity District, moving on from Central Business District). Front page of NZ Herald reads:"...Mr Brown yesterday proposed road tolls and congestion charges in the central area as ways to pay for what he called the city's key project for the Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-36819920432273944642011-08-05T08:05:00.007+12:002011-08-05T15:11:52.484+12:00Council's Relentless Waterfront Sale"Where is Auckland Council's Waterfront Masterplan?" is the question I asked nobody in particular as I read NZ Herald's apparently innocuous news item about the sale of the Hilton Hotel on Princes Wharf. The article ran in Granny Herald within the August 3rd Business section.".....The five-star boutique Hilton Auckland has been put up for sale in an international campaign but its American Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-35680403066826543492011-08-05T07:59:00.008+12:002011-08-05T20:29:07.979+12:00Fonterra's Unsustainable ThirstThe caption that ran with this Fonterra story: The dairy industry has a lot to smile about given New Zealand's advantages.... On Saturday June 18th, NZ Herald's Business pages carried a useful article with a set of indicators which explain why Fonterra's current activities in New Zealand are fundamentally unsustainable...At our annual investor conference last week, one of the presentations was Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-40963525564027961872011-07-23T10:23:00.003+12:002011-07-23T11:51:46.757+12:00Inquiry of the Christchurch InquiryA couple of days ago, on Thursday, there was a news item about the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure. The news item was that the Royal Commission had only received 11 submissions, with the closing date being the next day. So I have a few questions:Q: What does the Commission make of the poor response?Q: Does it indicate that there is little interest in Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-60229682800131717092011-07-12T10:21:00.014+12:002011-07-14T07:54:21.409+12:00Councils Fudge Christchurch SeismicityThere has been huge interest in the research I reported in my blog posting entitled Faulty Thinking About Christchurch. This research showed that work had been done in the late 1980's and early 1990's in New Zealand - by the Earthquake Commission and by the NZ Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science - about the risk of an earthquake event in Christchurch.In particular this research warned Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-85649171090165368952011-07-07T08:40:00.005+12:002011-07-07T11:57:03.303+12:00Parnell Station = Ad Hoc PlanningI understand pressure is being exerted on Auckland Transport to build a railway station at Parnell in the near future. I am not sure of the proposed location along that 1 km long section of straight railway (shown in the aerial here) which runs up a steady incline. However I am advised that building a station will require substantial civil works along the whole line to provide a flat section of Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-41121666809291540432011-07-06T16:43:00.011+12:002011-07-20T07:54:36.937+12:00Christchurch Earthquake Newspaper ArchiveHere a few newspaper stories from the Christchurch earthquake archives that I have scanned for your interest. If you click the images you can see them enlarged at a good resolution....The Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2847, 10 June 1869, Page 6, carried this story about the 1869 earthquake in Canterbury which severely affected Christchurch. NB: this was before the Cathedral was Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-10883551402858762452011-07-01T09:27:00.005+12:002011-07-01T09:39:30.081+12:00In Memory of the Cool Shed on Queens WharfThis video clip animation (which is silent by the way) was produced using SketchUp software a year or more ago, from a simple computer model I made of Queens Wharf. It was roughly made to show how we might provide for public uses on Queens Wharf - without demolishing anything - and use Queens Wharf as temporary Cruise Ship terminal sometimes. I put the Rugby Ball there for fun.It's good to look Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-48356221299704853962011-06-26T10:22:00.004+12:002011-07-19T13:52:51.670+12:00Faulty Thinking About Christchurch(NB: Since putting up this post, I have posted further research which you will be interested to read if you want to understand how Christchurch Council planning failed to manage the city's seismic risk: How Councils Under-Played Christchurch Seismic Risk.)... but read this one first....Maybe I read the wrong newspapers, but around the time of the September earthquake in Christchurch, I got the Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-79643490008289021522011-06-26T10:21:00.006+12:002011-06-26T19:28:30.589+12:00Banks Peninsula Rising IIThis video clip animation (which is silent by the way) made by GeoNet NZ is a helpful illustration of the way the New Zealand land mass has been formed between the interaction or collision between the Pacific Plate and the Indian Australian Plate. It's all interesting but what is especially interesting for the South Island is that the Southern Alps were formed by the two plates rubbing together Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-21422713157351175402011-06-22T14:32:00.004+12:002011-06-23T17:07:20.095+12:00Climate Change - NZ ResponseClimate Change is another area of study in the Auckland University "Legal and Institutional Context of Planning" paper. Here is some useful background, in the form of a short essay. What I've done here is look at the way the Resource Management Act has been changed, and cover some of the case history relating to applications to establish new power stations in New Zealand...I start with the ViennaJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-47980253050778471762011-06-22T13:11:00.004+12:002011-06-22T13:59:22.378+12:00Thinking about Sustainability and NZ LawLooking through my swot notes for the Auckland University "Legal and Institutional Context of Planning" paper, I thought a useful place for some of them was here, in the form of a short essay. This one's about sustainability....The statement "Sustainability means different things to different people" is a truism borne out by a close examination of the twisted path taken to incorporate the idea ofJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-66634889289778749682011-06-22T10:17:00.007+12:002011-06-22T17:14:36.295+12:00Banks Peninsula RisingA long time ago I collected rocks. You can probably imagine that. Amateur geologist and all that. And growing up in Oamaru I learned how the East Coast of the South Island had had three distinct areas of volcanic activity in the past: Port Chalmers Dunedin, Cape Wanbrow Oamaru, and Banks Peninsula Christchurch. Interesting that these volcanic outcrops created good places for harbours (I should Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-48982735667218491702011-06-10T08:37:00.000+12:002011-06-10T08:39:15.239+12:00Mind the Gaps in Auckland Transport PlanningIt is tempting to attribute blame for the very public disagreement that has erupted between Central Government and Auckland Council about what the economic benefits of the proposed CBD rail loop project might be. However I think it more productive to examine Auckland’s crisis in transport and land use planning, and to consider how it might be fixed.The most effective transport planning in Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-59336242176856951992011-06-10T08:18:00.006+12:002011-06-10T08:36:38.132+12:00Mayor Len's Community ChoiceWell old Granny Herald wasn't a happy read this morning. Mayor Len reported as doing a personal about turn on cruise ships on Queens Wharf. Just as Shed 10 was starting to shine in the sun. Reports suggest he hasn't even consulted his Council. Let alone the wider community (which is what the Waterfront Master Plan is for). I understand some of that work points to Wynyard Wharf being a good deep Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-53744775734598516122011-06-09T09:27:00.007+12:002011-06-09T11:14:47.003+12:00University Planners Connect Auckland WaterfrontThe Masters in Planning Practice class of 2011 prepare to present their Auckland Waterfront Design Projects in the 7th Floor studio. This is the Planning 701 Urban Design course. Prof Kai Gu is the lecturer.There were 9 team projects this year, ranging from 2 to 3 students apiece. They covered topics including Princes Wharf, Queens Wharf, Quay Street, Copthorne Hotel corner of the Viaduct, and Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-11889763380654961052011-06-01T10:11:00.004+12:002011-06-01T10:42:25.012+12:00CBD Rail Designation: Government and Auckland AgreeIt is hard to see the wood for the leaves and the pages of consultancy documents and media releases that flutter like confetti around Auckland's Rail Tunnel project.But there is agreement between Ministry of Transport consultants and Auckland Council consultants over one crucial part of that project. Both consultancies agree that the notice of requirement for the designation that will protect theJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-55422591020557378142011-05-31T12:13:00.008+12:002011-06-01T08:41:44.644+12:00Three Kings for a Blast from the PastLast night, 30 May 2011, there was a meeting of the Three Kings Quarry Site Liaison Group (SLG) in the Hall of Three Kings Primary School. It was well attended because Winstone's - who run the Quarry - had given advance notice of its intention to recommence blasting operations in the floor of the quarry. Former Auckland City councillor Greg McKeown was in the chair as "mediator" by agreement withJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-16454441377674868722011-05-31T09:42:00.004+12:002011-05-31T12:11:37.918+12:00Court Decision: Three Kings Quarry FillOn the 18th of May, 2011, Judge Smith signed the decision of the Environment Court relating to various appeals and the referred application for the proposed and disputed Fletcher Concrete & Infrastructure Ltd/Winstone Aggregates Ltd "cleanfill" at Three Kings Quarry Mt Eden.In a nutshell, the decision upholds the original consents, grants the referred application, though all are subject to Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-58594711524681113122011-05-31T08:48:00.005+12:002011-05-31T11:14:21.559+12:00Council Computerisation Reality CheckIn April 2009, the Listener Magazine ran an investigative piece which considered the new National Government’s proposals to restructure Auckland local government. It was a good piece. And I wrote to the Listener’s Letter page shortly thereafter….I trust that Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide reads your warning that he should hasten slowly in reforming Auckland Local Government.This would Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-2680370092649406542011-05-24T13:36:00.005+12:002011-05-25T07:55:44.417+12:00All that glitters is not economic gold...We had the budget last week. Many expected a more savage set of cuts and a more concerted attack on the deficit. Most commentators who traditionally support the Key Government have been muted at best about it. It's really business as usual with the Christchurch earthquake being the only place where the rubber is really hitting the road. It's so public there. So many peoples' lives and assets Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-22566183792961014072011-05-24T12:47:00.005+12:002011-05-24T13:42:31.340+12:00Parking Policy and Development in JapanWas interested to read in NZ Herald last week about the debate in Auckland Council over provision of car parking buildings in CBD areas - notably Auckland CBD and Manukau CBD. Liked the comment from Cllr Mike Lee that he supported car parking that supported public transport, but not parking that competed with public transport. Good line. But what does it mean?These are a few slides from a Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-30261486543290518342011-05-24T09:55:00.009+12:002011-05-24T13:42:02.501+12:00House on a Raft FoundationThis site is next door to me. And it's been interesting to see the building process unfold. No foundations approach. Straight on the clay. Interesting because there has been criticism from builders in Christchurch that this is an expensive approach. Don't think so... The site was scraped flat to clay. The a thin layer of scoria added....You can see Lot 1 here - with its edges laid out on top of Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-71670294066496896352011-05-24T08:22:00.007+12:002011-05-24T13:41:12.097+12:00Goal: 25% PT mode share in Klang Valley by 2012Last month I had the fortune of chairing an "Integrated Public Tranbsport Planning" conference in Kuala Lumpur. KL wasn't that great (see for example: My post on KL traffic oriented design). But there were some great presentations. Like this one by Ms Ruhaizah Mohamed Rashid about their plans for increasing mode share of PT in this part of Malaysia....The presentation is interesting because the Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-3134633559895181742011-05-23T19:51:00.008+12:002011-05-24T16:18:09.967+12:00Western Reclamation Transformation ApaceThe Western Reclamation transformation work is proceeding at break-neck speed. The direction for this was largely determined before Auckland Council arose from the abolition of Auckland City Council and Auckland Regional Council. It has been implemented by Sea + City, which has been rebranded and bits added to form the Waterfront Development Agency (WDA). This posting is a step in time - a few Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-91704887007550705832011-05-23T16:46:00.003+12:002011-05-24T13:39:25.556+12:00Queens Wharf Clouds Over....
You might be wondering how Queens Wharf is unfolding. So here's a bit of video I took on my cell phone from the ferry. It looks very PVC which you would expect. And very cream. Hard now to see Shed 10 which is emerging in a coat of white paint. And when you are on Queens Wharf - to the East of the McCully Cloud - you will certainly have your view of Princes Wharf, Northcote and the Harbour Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-8535425751178274632011-05-13T08:08:00.006+12:002011-05-14T09:44:16.211+12:00Rugby World Cup Ticket Sales....News is that less than half the tickets for Rugby World Cup games have been sold. You'll be wondering what Beckham has to do with the price of eggs (tickets). More later.According to stuff.co.nz:Ticket sales are nearly $100 million below the target for the tournament, but Rugby World Cup organisers are confident fans will snap up a further 560,000 tickets in the next four months. The ChristchurchJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-83606725955350810982011-05-10T17:26:00.004+12:002011-05-10T17:36:34.104+12:00Putting Something Good BackTook a break from Auckland on Monday. Nothing quite like being out there fishing, knowing that everybody else is either at work, or struggling to get to work. Stuck in traffic. As soon as this fish came to the side of the boat, Brent said to me, "Joel, that one needs to go back...". No argument from me. At around 18 pounds plus great breeding stock. Gently inside the boat. Easy to remove the hookJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-65757632507122268442011-05-03T10:22:00.005+12:002011-05-07T10:27:30.081+12:00Auckland Council Promises: Pipedreams or Priorities?This morning I was on National Radio's Morning Report with Tony Garnier. I was asked to come into the studio to comment upon the practicality of Mayor Brown's list of projects. Here's the 8 minute news item for you to listen to.Before I went in I thought about what I wanted to say. As you do. It is very difficult to sum up in a few pithy points what I think about what is happening in Auckland Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-44526796731902797352011-04-29T10:01:00.012+12:002011-04-30T09:05:27.245+12:00Travel Demand Management is "Weird"That's what New Zealand's Minister of Transport told Radio New Zealand yesterday as he answered questions about the Government's latest transport budget allocations. The Hon Mr Steven Joyce was explaining the re-allocation of transport budgets previously targetted at "Travel Demand Management", to Road Safety. There are also large allocations to motorway projects, and there is some allocation to Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-17235138002033641592011-04-27T11:37:00.007+12:002011-04-28T12:15:47.511+12:00North Shore Busway Fails to ConnectMy presentation to the Integrated Transport Planning Conference in Kuala Lumpur focussed on the mistakes that Auckland made in designing and building the North Shore Busway. These design failings will affect its success for some considerable time. This slide shows the alignment of the busway alongside State Highway One. The busway lies within the SH1 designation. This reflects the fact that Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-47415026992525210122011-04-26T09:03:00.009+12:002011-04-28T08:32:00.407+12:00Auckland Unleashed - Part IIAuckland Unleashed generally got the panning it deserved from the media and those who have been immersed in Auckland Regional planning for a long time. (You can see my first take on it here). And while Auckland Unleashed generally respects the Mayor's election vision of rail (Britomart Loop, Airport Link and North Shore Rail), I am of the view that the new Council (Councillors plus Mayor) are Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-35777276803515699852011-04-21T11:24:00.011+12:002011-04-27T09:25:23.781+12:00Japan's Fine TolerancesLast week I chaired an Integrated Transport Planning conference in Kuala Lumpur - then took a side trip to visit eldest daughter in Sapporo Japan. The lext few blogs are from that trip. Cherry Blossom trees were out in Narita, Tokyo, when I stopped there. But not in Sapporo, 700 kilometres north on the island of Hokkaido. Japanese TV charts the Cherry Blossom wave as it moves North with spring. Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-28338657606162228202011-04-21T10:25:00.005+12:002011-04-21T18:29:37.025+12:00Father and Daughter in SapporoScarlett took me up the Sapporo Tower. What a set of views from up there! Like this boulevard, and the mountains in the background.The Sapporo TV Tower was modelled a little on the Eiffel Tower. Not so proud that everything has to be indigenous. The Sushi Train restaurant was a new experience for me. Pick your plate off the track as it goes past your eyes. Pay according to the stack of plates. Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-69359473988233558532011-04-21T08:17:00.005+12:002011-04-21T10:14:34.596+12:00Narita Japan TOD and POD StudyThis is a section of motorway in Japan on the way to Narita where I stayed a night on my way back to New Zealand. What strikes you is the similarity with NZ motorways. But there is where the similarity of transport design begins and ends...This google map is a wide view of the section of Narita (a city within the Tokyo metropolitan area) where this little study is located......closer up you can Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-38861057628012827482011-04-20T20:22:00.009+12:002011-04-20T21:12:56.129+12:00Sapporo Transport Oriented Design StudyThis is a google image of the southern part of the city of Sapporo - the 5th biggest city in Japan - with a population of around 1.9 million people living at an average density of 1700 people/square kilometre. The map shows the main motorways and arterial roads in the city.......this zoomed in area brings us closer to the case study ward of Sumikawa, where I stayed with my daughter for a few daysJoel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-8903453530858475792011-04-20T16:41:00.014+12:002011-04-29T09:38:33.662+12:00Kuala Lumpur Transport Oriented Design StudyThis Google image shows a fair chunk of the city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is the most populous city region in Malaysia, with an estimated metropolitan population of 6.9 million as of 2007, and average population density of 2790 per square km. I had the fortune to Chair an International Integrated Transport Planning Conference there last week. Other posts will cover the conference. This post Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763366316092865103.post-507031037857883822011-04-20T15:37:00.006+12:002011-04-20T16:10:16.574+12:00Japan - Media and Plates and EarthquakesOn my flight back to New Zealand from Narita, sat next to a Japanese gentleman who was reading a Japanese newspaper. Apparently the Asahi Shimburn International version. Mostly Japanese characters as far as I could make out, but it did have quite a bit of stuff about Fukishima and the earthquake...It has this graphic of one of the Fukishima powerstations. It's a very good graphic because it's Joel Cayfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18333945842340425946noreply@blogger.com0