Month: April 2013

Question: Auckland – Metropolis or Megalopolis/Megapolis

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So I ask again: “AUCKLAND – METROPOLIS OR MEGALOPOLIS/MEGAPOLIS?”

 

And it needs to be answered after the Herald bungled this piece: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10879448 <_<

Ben Ross - Talking Auckland's avatarTalking Southern Auckland

Something to think about

 

As I have been chatting away to various people on the concept of Manukau being a second CBD in Auckland; two interesting and thought-provoking questions popped up. They were:

  • Can Auckland be looking at THREE CBD’s by 2040: the existing CBD, Manukau and Albany (or Takapuna (something the North Shore can figure out itself))
  • Is Auckland an actual metropolis or in fact a megapolis/megalopolis

As for the tri-CBD question; another time and another debate. Right now it is the metropolis/megapolis/megalopolis question for Auckland

Now before some one pipes up about the world megapolises and megalopolises being massive areas with tens of millions of people, I want you to put that world relativity concept behind and think of a New Zealand and literal Greek concept of the terms.

 

The best way to convey the information is an information dump from Wikipedia

Metropolis 

A 

View original post 1,291 more words

Update with Karaka Collective Information

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An Information Error

 

PLEASE NOTE

I have received an email from a person in regards to the Karaka Collective and information the Collective’s representative has sent me which I subsequently posted on BR:AKL.

The information I had received which was subsequently embedded in my “Karaka Collective Shares” post was incorrect in the fact a resident who is not part of the Collective –  was highlighted as being part of the collective. Subsequently the incorrect information has been spread further in the public domain (the original submissions were already in the public realm prior to BR:AKL posting them) of which is a concern.

I have been informed that the barrister for the Karaka Collective has been alerted to this incorrect information and should be making the proper adjustments to reflect the correct information.

As a result of this I have pulled down the Karaka Collective Shares post, as well pulling down the information links from Scribd. I will repost the information once I have the CORRECT information from the Collective at hand. Thus for now any other posts linking back to the Karaka Collective Shares post will not work for the duration of the suspension.

 

BR:AKL does send apologies to the person affected by the incorrect information embedded in the blog for any inconveniences caused. 

City Planning – Vancouver Styles

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Pause the Unitary Plan Process says Visiting Vancouver Planner Dr Ann McAfee

 

Another video from All About Auckland, this time in regards to the Unitary Plan. Check the interview with Dr McAfee on “Vancouver City Plan Done By Lunchtime – Dr Ann McAfee.” Note the governance differences between Vancouver and Auckland as well as the maturity from Vancouver politicians to pause their planning discussions during an election cycle. Something I don’t think we can count on here much with Auckland and the Unitary Plan?

While again I did take notes myself I did notice Dr McAfee’s reference to those aged between 20-29 need to have a near if not critical importance in the role, discussion, and formation of the Unitary Plan. Something I have been doing very extensively with the Unitary Plan thus far as seen in these two examples:

 

But check the video out none the less as it is really informative

 

BEN ROSS : AUCKLAND

BR:AKL: Bring Well Managed Progress

The Unitary Plan: Bringing Change

Auckland: 2013 – OUR CITY, OUR CALL

 

The RPTP – Round Two

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Next Round of Consultation with the RPTP

 

Bit of a break from the Unitary Plan this morning as I cover my perennial favourite topic: Auckland Transport (in particular public transport). Four days ago Auckland Transport released a full update post-hearings of the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) which I both submitted and later presented in Manukau.

For a recap you can see my following RPTP posts on my submission and presentation

 

As a result of the hearings in February Auckland Transport has released a 57 page report on those hearings. You can read the report in the embed below:

 

I have not had a chance to read the document yet as such (busy with The Unitary Plan) however, take note of this:

 

When will the RPTP be formally adopted by Auckland Transport?

Auckland Transport has made significant progress towards the adoption of the draft RPTP.  Since the submission period closed:

  • We have successfully completed public hearings on the draft RPTP
  • After considering all the submissions received, the Hearing Panel presented a report to the Auckland Transport Board (the Board) recommending changes to the draft RPTP
  • In March 2013 the Board endorsed the changes to the draft RPTP recommended by the Hearing Panel.  This enables Auckland Transport to proceed with detailed local consultation on the proposed new public transport network for Auckland, a key element of the Plan.

 

The Land Transport Management Amendment (LTMA) Bill is currently before Parliament for approval.  Once the LTMA Bill is enacted by Parliament, the RPTP will be altered to ensure it is compliant with the new Act.  We envisage that any changes to what the board has endorsed will mainly relate to procurement issues.  Only once compliant, will the RPTP be formally adopted by the Board (expected to be later this year).  This delay is necessary because the new Land Transport Management Act will repeal the Public Transport Management Act under which the current draft RPTP was created.

 

Once formally adopted, we will inform submitters and make the final RPTP available for the public to view.

 

Local consultation on the proposed new public transport network for Auckland

Consultation on the proposed new public transport network for Auckland (the New Network) has been broken into 3 areas, with South Auckland being the first area to be consulted on.  Please see over the page the proposed consultation and implementation dates for the New Network.

 

 

​Areas ​Consultation ​Implementation
​South Auckland 19 June 2013 to
2 August 2013		 Mid – end 2014​
North Auckland​ Early 2014​ Mid 2015​
Central, East and West Auckland Late 2014​ Mid 2016​

If you would like further information on the proposed New Network please visit our consultation webpage www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/newnetwork, or email us at busreview@Aucklandtransport.govt.nz

 

Further information on the RPTP

To view further information on the RPTP; such as a copy of the draft RPTP, an electronic copy of the Hearing Panel’s report, or the hearings minutes please visit our consultation websitewww.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/rptp

 

So it seems I am back up for another round of consultation with the Public Transport Network (PTN) from June to August. I better brush up on my reading before submitting the next round of feedback (which is thankfully after the Unitary Plan).

 

Meantime I recommend a bit of brushing up as well with the PTN if you want a network that better serves you…