Blast From Manukau’s Past

Written by Ben Ross - Talking Auckland

BRING IT BACK

 

Those who remember Manukau City Centre in the 1980’s through to about 2003 will remember this at the west end of the Westfield Mall:

Manukau Plaza 1980 and 1990 Source: Auckland Council - Manukau Research Centre
Manukau Plaza 1980 and 1990
Source: Auckland Council – Manukau Research Centre

 

Today we have this thanks to our fascination with connecting every single little thing by road:

Manukau Plaza 2015
Manukau Plaza 2015

 

Message to Design Champion Ludo Campbell-Reid and Auckland Council:

Can we have the old Plaza back please with an acknowledgement Osterly Way would be a Shared Space rather than pedestrian mall.

 

A quick look back at my own redevelopment concepts show that restoring the old Plaza would be indeed possible with the minor change for Osterly Way

Manukau Mall Redevelopment Context MK1
Manukau Mall Redevelopment Context MK1

 

No need for roads connecting to every single little space inside a City Centre any more. Time to bring Manukau City Centre back to the people from the car!