(Click this image to see the whole picture....)
This is the section of Queen Elizabeth Square that Auckland Council has voted, in principle, to sell, to Precinct Properties, so it has a larger site for its proposed downtown development. (It should be noted, by the way, that Precinct Properties has indicated that it has perfectly good plans for developing the site without having this section of Queen Elizabeth Square.)
These pictures were all taken about 9:00am on Friday morning, May 16 2014. So it's late in autumn. Sun is low, but for a while at this time of year QE Square is a nice place to be. It has been like this in public ownership since the 1970's, I understand. Before that the land was taken up with older style buildings not unlike those we can see still standing in Britomart.
A number of cafes have opened around the square, but you can see that the Downtown frontage to the square, and that from the both the HSBC Tower and the Zurich building, don't help the success of this part of Auckland. The kauri tree forest was a recent attempt to change things. Again, in my opinion, not very successful in terms of producing quality paved park space that is attractive to linger and meet up in by members of the public. (In fact it shares many of the poor design characteristics of Aotea Square which was developed around the same period.)
Other cities around the world recognise that ensuring success in public spaces is a constant challenge. They remain works in progress. Auckland now has the opportunity (with demolition of Downtown Centre and earthworks associated with the proposed Central Rail Loop) to improve Queen Elizabeth Square - but not to sell it.
Auckland Central is very poorly provisioned with good sized, centrally located, successful, civic spaces suiting a city of more than 1.5 million souls.
When I was there this morning, the police were there supporting a "Time4Youth" community fund raiser campaign "focussing on helping teens all over New Zealand..." Part of Blue Light youth charity's work.
You could choose to get locked up, and be photographed. These are the sorts of activities that can happen in the morning rush hour. Great in the sun. Perfect use for a paved pedestrian civic square. Like Queen Elizabeth Square....
It's not as if Precinct Properties are going to be short of passing trade when their development is completed. A pity perhaps that with its large proportion of overseas investment that profits will likely leave New Zeraland, but surely that is enough. Provide access to Auckland pedestrians, but don't let them have Auckland's public space as well. That's not a good equation.
Here's how the Square looks from Britomart building. When the bus interchange moves from here (as promised, certainly reduced, as other CBD interchange facilities are developed), you can see the scope for the whole civic area. You can see the grand civic space that can emerge, when this public area is not severed by a road for buses....
The pedestrian walkway can be shifted, or changed. perhaps its alignment would be better closer to the railway station - creating a larger coherent civic space.
Yes, this area is sometimes shaded, and it is sometimes windy - but nothing like Wellington. All built public spaces are in the shade for part of the day. What's new in that? But if Queen Elizabeth Square was widened, then parts of it would more often be in sunshine. In summer, when the sun is almost overhead, Queen Elizabeth Square is bathed in sunshine most of the day. Don't forget that.
These next 3 pics are from slightly higher in the Britomart building. Again, I draw your attention to the dismal outlook of the Downtown Centre. Its uninteresting, unarticulated wall does not attract interest.
Look at these pics and think. Surely it is right for Auckland Council to consider who these public assets - including Quay Street and Queens Wharf - can be seen in an integrated way, but from the view point of Auckland's citizens first, not from the point of view of how many bucks can be made from an overseas investor. 
Interestingly we had Auckland Transport down here also, at the Glass Box, offering free bike checks. Thanks for that anyway. 
1 comment:
It is a great pity that this square will be redeveloped. It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but as one of the few open, pedestrian spaces in the CBD, surely that gives it immense social value.
Seeing as the decision has already been made, one possible place that could be ripe for redevelopment would be Queens Wharf. It is of copious area and offers attractive views towards the harbour bridge, the north shore and out to sea. This large space has been largely underutilised after its redevelopment for the Rugby World Cup, and honestly, it hasn't lived up to the hype created at the time. Admittedly this space has its issues. It is a dead end, and so lacks permeability through the area, and is exposed to winds from east, north and west. The wind, at least could be mitigated, for example through a wind break down the centre to shelter at least one side from the wind while not interrupting the harbour views. In addition, there could be potential to link the site with the recently developed Wynard Quarter, which is currently isolated from other, similar spaces. A more visually appealing entrance to Auckland would also make the area more attractive as an entry point into Auckland for cruise ships, instead of the run down visage currently greeting visitors. While Queens Wharf would not be a civic square in the sense that Queen Elizabeth Square is, it could still be a viable location for attractive public space in the lower CBD.
Post a Comment