Public Agoraphobia in Auckland

Albert Park is one of Auckland’s oldest public spaces, reflecting the formality and culture of early British colonisers and a clear planning distinction between public and private.

Opened in 1979, Aotea Square reflects an altogether different history. It and Mayoral Drive were built following the demolition of lower Greys Inn Road and much of old Auckland’s urban fabric, enabling the creation of uncongested road access to the CBD and high capacity central city car-parking. Meeting the accessibility and mobility needs of private car owners was a far greater priority than the creation of a successful public space at Aotea Square. If Auckland’s citizens or visitors feel some sort of connection with a public space it is more likely to be successful, but Aotea Square’s success is limited to skateboarders and the protestors who recently occupied it.

Public spaces reflect the character of a city. My favourites include the South Bank in London, Xocalo in Mexico City, and Odori Park in Sapporo.

The earliest public spaces – Greek Agora - were formed within a civilisation which valued democracy and recognised and accepted cultural difference. Public spaces provided citizens the means of building community life.

They were places where people would:

• meet,
• greet,
• talk and learn about each other.

They were building blocks for tolerance and understanding.

If urban public spaces merely exist to provide more air, a view of the horizon to break the monotony of endless buildings, as a setting for alien artworks, or as places to park vehicles, they will not meet human needs and will be unsuccessful. Or if they are designed mainly as gathering places for consumers, like outdoor shopping malls dominated by shops and places to spend money - rather than time, then the broader public interest will not be served.

From a purely functional point of view, public places do need to provide:

• seating,
• toilets
• and simple food.

But to be successful they must also provide reasons to be there that are more than merely offering a diverting place to chill, waiting for the theatre or film to start – though people-watching appeals to many.

To be successful, to form part of the infrastructural heart and soul of a city, public spaces need:

• safe places for children and the elderly,
• familiar connections for people from different cultures,
• and embodied reminders of a city’s history, ancestry and heritage.

Little of this heart and soul is evident in Aotea Square, though it is improving. The children’s playground at Wynyard Quarter is one of the greatest successes of that public space, though sadly its footprint is zoned for high-rise development. And maritime heritage and character reminders there are at huge risk from development pressure and a light-handed regulatory approach from Auckland Council.

Queens Wharf is Auckland’s most recent public space. It was opened to the public two short years ago and rapidly became a political football. The moth-balled McCully Cloud and some cheap security fencing around its heritage shed are the visible reminders of that history. A sad superficial legacy for a place that embodies and still exudes Auckland maritime history.

At least twice in its short public space life Queens Wharf has shown its potential for Auckland. The first was when two Chinese warships came to visit. Queens Wharf became a magnet for Auckland’s Chinese community – largely absent from the CBD following the unfortunate loss of the waterfront Oriental Market. The second was early in the Rugby World Cup when Queens Wharf and downtown Auckland glowed with the energy and laughter of its Tongan and Samoan peoples.

Today, despite the sign that insists Queens Wharf is open to the public, it has been taken over by Airport Buses, taxis, casual traffic, and its very own roundabout and traffic lights, to the extent it is often dangerous for pedestrians entering and exiting the ferry terminal. All the talk of pedestrianising Quay Street seems empty when this ad hoc traffic makes the area unsafe. It would be good to see Council walking the talk on the waterfront.

As a Devonport resident I now enjoy easy access to Airport Buses, but this traffic is the thin end of the edge, building up to the establishment of a primary cruise ship terminal with all of its associated traffic demands and which risks being the kiss of death for a truly successful public space on Queens Wharf.

Thankfully, two thirds of submissions to Auckland Council’s Annual Plan oppose a Queens Wharf cruise ship terminal. If Council does not heed these submissions I will be among those who claim the Council is suffering from Agoraphobia – fear of successful public places.

Takapuna Strategic Framework

Among the more visionary and thoughtful planning documents that have been prepared during the current term of the North Shore City Council is its consultation document entitled: "Takapuna Strategic Framework".

Its release and purpose was explained this way by the North Shore Times:

"....POPULATION and employment projections indicate surging growth of about 100,000 residents and 40,000 jobs across North Shore city over the next 30 years. Takapuna is expected to take in 35 percent of this projected growth....

That translates into 6000 new homes for 12,000 new residents and an additional 5000 jobs over that period. Auckland-wide, the population is expected to increase from about 1.4 million to about 2.3 million by 2051.

The Adequacy of Auckland Region's Residential Land report back in 2008 said the North Shore could soon run out of land for housing, including intensive development.

The Takapuna strategic framework discussion document tackles growth and change possibilities over the next 30 years. It examines how they might affect the future make-up, look and feel of buildings, streets and other public spaces. It looks beyond the existing centre and considers the longer term potential for business redevelopment along the Takapuna-Barrys Pt-Smales Farm corridor leading to the central spine of Wairau Valley.

The sequencing of this proposed development will be heavily influenced by whether an additional harbour crossing materialises and whether it includes a northern rail link.

Council officers say the framework will provide a direction for more detailed precinct planning and for the infrastructure and facilities needed to support the wellbeing of local businesses and residents.

The document divides Takapuna into eight precincts – central and beachfront, central west, northern Hurstmere, Upper Shoal Bay, Anzac west, Barrys Pt Rd, Taharoto and lake edge.

They say previous studies on Takapuna have been limited to the commercial and shopping core.
The new draft covers areas up to Northcote Rd in the northwest, the southern edge of Lake Pupuke, Earnoch Ave in the northeast, the beachfront and Lake Rd, Esmonde Rd and the northern motorway.

North Shore mayor Andrew Williams says Takapuna has huge potential in its central business area and wider precincts to further develop into the thriving southern hub of the Shore...."

Among the documents available on the council website that inform this planning document is the: Takapuna Strategic Review research. Not sure why I can't find a link on the website now to the actual Strategic Review document. Feedback was requested, closing 9th July 2010.

When I was a North Shore City Councillor, it was hard to get planning for Takapuna to extend beyond the shopping and beachfront precinct. So Barrys Point was left out, so was half of Anzac Street, Taharoto, links with Wairua Valley, let alone links with Albany and the Auckland CBD. So this document is an expansive breath of fresh air.

I attended a public meeting at Takapuna where James Lundy of Common Ground had been asked to present his urban planning response to issues and challenges that were set out in the Takapuna Strategic Framework document. This was quite a good way to handle a difficult communications problem, though it meant those in the audience were responding to one man's set of ideas, or to the written document itself. Questions outside Mr Lundy's presentation were handled by David Sanders for NSCC. It was an interesting afternoon. And it was apparent that Takapuna residents are only at the start of what should be a long and thorough process. There are no shortcuts.

In my experience of Auckland planning, it has only been Waitakere City Council that has made appropriate efforts at engaging its communities (including residents, shoppers, public service providers, land owners, developers, transport users) through charrette processes in the development of land use plan changes for places like New Lynn. So, hopefully, sudden decisions are not made on the back of this start by North Shore City Council - changes that would preclude other more thoughtful and long term strategic plans.

Questions that were raised by concerned citizens indicated that two major initiatives were in the wings that threatened the integrity of the long term planning process. These are:

- a possible ferry wharf and terminal at Takapuna
- a possible Elite National Yachting Centre fronting Takapuna beach

I understand that the Hon Murray McCully is championing both of these projects in the background, and that significant discussions have occurred with North Shore City Council and other interested parties. Possible Government money is on the table. Partnership discussions are happening in cofidential session. However little information is in the public domain and designs have not reached the stage where necessary resource consents are being sought.

These rumours and partial information set alarm bells going in my head. Shades of Queens Wharf and ARC confidential meetings. So I made a few phone calls, and wrote this letter to the North Shore Times Advertiser:

Dear Editor,

Beware of Ministers bearing gifts!

The Hon Murray McCully has put $10 million on North Shore City Council’s table in a deal to build an elite yachting school on Takapuna’s Beachfront. There’s talk of a joint venture between Council and Government.

This might be a good idea, but should it be built on Takapuna’s precious and limited beachfront reserve land?

What about the public’s enjoyment of Takapuna Beach?

The Auckland Regional Council got into a similar deal with the same Minister to turn Queens Wharf into an industrial cruise ship terminal. A deal which side-lined the public interest.

Look and learn. Beware of Ministers bearing gifts that risk alienation or commercialisation of the public’s hard won harbour and coastal assets.

Joel Cayford (Auckland Regional Councillor)

A National Yacht School or Centre is a good idea. Just like a Cruise Ship Terminal. But where it goes and how it operates is a critical decision - especially if it is on land or space currently set aside as public reserve (which is what Takapuna beachfront land is). I am aware that there are proposals to place this Yacht School partially in the road reserve, and partially underground beneath the existing reserve. But it is an activity that will still occupy public land, public space that has not been set aside for any special activity.

Takapuna beach has been a sort of tragedy of the commons on the North Shore, because so much of the beach frontage has been effectively privatised. Only a narrow public window exists onto the beach, and this needs to be protected from any sort of development.

This is a bit of a ramble, but I want also to address the issue of a Takapuna Ferry service and wharf. Everybody likes ferries and it seems to be a no-brainer that as there is a regular ferry service from Gulf Harbour, why not let it call in at Takapuna (or Mairangi Bay and Browns Bay for that matter), and pick up passengers on the way. These arguments need to be addressed:

- Before the Harbour Bridge was built, these places needed ferry services, because there were few alternative transport options to get to Auckland CBD. That changed when the bridge was built.
- Public attitudes to development on beaches has changed since the days of every beach having a wharf. The public want their East Coast Bays beaches kept free from development and activities which detract from the natural environment and peace and quiet. There will always be some who would like economic development opportunities that come with wharves, but I believe these desires are in the minority.
- Ferry services need to justify their costs. That means that patronage needs to be at a level that justifies the costs of building wharves and landside servicves - including car parking. The Devonport ferry is successful in part because about 300 car parks are within a short walk of the ferry. That is not the case at Takapuna. Parking space is at a premium, and much of it is valued by recreational boaties. A Takapuna ferry service would not be economic, and car parking would be insufficient.
- Significant investment has already occurred for Takapuna public transport services, especially to the Auckland CBD. These include the Busway, Takapuna Bus Station and buslanes, and Akoranga bus station. These services provide a 20 minute service between Takapuna and Auckland at nominal cost. Ferry from Takapuna to Auckland CBD would take about 30 minutes (takes 12 minutes from Devonport), and cost more than a bus trip.

I will further investigate the Takapuna Strategic Framework process. And report further here. Key has to be turning Hurstmere Road inside out, using Council land holdings between it and the beach, so that Takapuna stops facing away from its beautiful beach and Rangitoto. Then its design potential will start to be realised. But this transformation will be frustrated if development is allowed with further blocks public access and sight of the beach, and if activities are permitted which detract from public use of the beach.

Rugby Ball Shows on Queens Wharf....

Continuing with these designs on Queens Wharf, what I'm really looking forward to is the removal of that fence that separates Queens Wharf from the Ferry Terminal. And, removing the structural walls (concrete block and grey) that separates the Ferry Terminal itself from Queens Wharf. You can see that wall in the background, in this pic, just over the roof of Shed 10....

But before I go there, closer, here's another pic of Queens Wharf, looking over the Cool Shed to Shed 10. Wonder what that "egg" is in the background....?

Looking down Queen Street, between the existing buildings there, you can see along Queens Wharf. You can still see the heritage fence that lines Quay Street, but the fence by Ferry Terminal buildings has gone. So have the car parks there. No way should there be office commuter car parks on Queens Wharf. Banish them. This is a social place...

The "egg" is the Paris Rugby Ball. Built for the last Rugby World Cup event. A building to showcase New Zealand. Continuous film shows on the interior walls. An exhibition of all that's the best about New Zealand - for locals and visitors alike.

It would fit nicely on Queens Wharf for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Part of the life on the city end of Queens Wharf. With tables and brollies spilling out from the newly activated edge of the Ferry Building...

It would be part of the transformation of Queens Wharf into a premier downtown showcase, show place for Auckland and New Zealand...

We are all looking forward to a bunch of fantastic ideas from the design competition. It's a very interesting project .... Go well....