An Academic Debate on Urban Design Later on this afternoon I will be at a briefing on the latest updates for Downtown projects with our Deputy Mayor Penny … Continue reading Downtown Projects and Urban Design
Category: General
Everything else
Not a Good Day for Auckland Transport [UPDATED x3]
Pick an issue Today Auckland Transport’s Board conduct their usual board meeting over in Henderson. Usually when the Board meets you can find some interesting gems on our … Continue reading Not a Good Day for Auckland Transport [UPDATED x3]
Want a Say on Arts and Culture?
Now you can
From Auckland Council
Have your say on Auckland’s arts and culture
Calling all arts aficionados, cultural connoisseurs and anyone interested in arts and culture – it’s time to have your say on how Auckland’s arts and culture can develop over the next decade.
The Draft Arts and Culture Strategic Action Plan, which aims to deliver on the Auckland Plan’s vision to ‘integrate arts and culture into our everyday lives’, opens for public consultation today.
The draft action plan sets out a five to ten year strategic direction for the planning and delivery of arts and cultural activities in Auckland. It identifies six goals and supporting key actions to meet the challenges of Auckland’s continued growth, changing demographics and increasing international competitiveness in the creative sector, with a focus on making arts and culture accessible to everyone.
The draft action plan was approved by the Arts, Culture and Events Committee last Wednesday with committee members in agreement that the plan provides a sound base for further discussion with Aucklanders.
Chair of the committee, Councillor Alf Filipaina says the draft responds to the Auckland Plan statement: ‘Auckland expects that our arts and culture will thrive, unite, delight, challenge and entertain, and also drive wealth and prosperity for individuals and for Auckland.’
“During engagement for the Auckland Plan, arts and culture featured in its power to deliver on the transformational shifts required to make Auckland the world’s most liveable city”, he says.
“To reach all parts of our region, both urban and rural, inner city and suburbs, and to make arts and culture programs relevant to the different communities who live here requires a focused plan.”
Mr Filipaina says the ‘whole of Auckland’ plan will be delivered in partnership with other key stakeholders in the arts and culture sector.
To date, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Creative New Zealand, Creative Coalition, ASB Community Trust, Independent Māori Statutory Board, and Pacific People Advisory Panel have worked with the council to develop the draft.
Aucklanders are encouraged to head to shapeauckland.co.nz to read the draft action plan and to share their thoughts through an online submission.
The public consultation period ends at 5pm on Thursday 24 July 2014.
—ends—
Hmmm might go have a look at the draft plan
Governing Body June Agenda Up
Discussion on 2014/2015 Rates, and two Notices of Motions coming up On Thursday the Auckland Council Governing Body meets up in Town Hall. The Governing Body Agenda for … Continue reading Governing Body June Agenda Up
Trains Won’t Save Auckland? Seems the New Zealand Initiative is Doing Itself No Favours
In both not being able to frame an argument properly and stuck in the 1990s of planning After copping a pretty serious debunk over in Transport Blog’s NZ Initiative’s … Continue reading Trains Won’t Save Auckland? Seems the New Zealand Initiative is Doing Itself No Favours
Two Questions Now to be asked of Council
City Building Again – and by that I mean ALL of the City (well region) Recently I had asked the following question in my “A Question About City Building” … Continue reading Two Questions Now to be asked of Council
Government’s Left Hand is Certainly Not Talking to its Right Hand
Unitary Plan Submission and Government’s Transport Policy Statement do not marry up The Government's Left Hand (Their Unitary Plan Submission) is not talking to its Right Hand (Transport GPS). … Continue reading Government’s Left Hand is Certainly Not Talking to its Right Hand
Council to Publish CBD and Waterfront Progress Reports
To be published in August
I suppose this “The Southern Initiative Back in the Media – Again” and the lack of progress reports amongst other things of recent from Council might have spurred on what is in the presser below.
From Auckland Council
Auckland Council to publish overview of city centre and waterfront developments
Auckland Council today confirmed that it will publish an overview of key city centre and waterfront developments, to give the public and decision-makers a clear picture of the programme of work under-way to transform Auckland’s CBD.
Councillors received an update today on planning and project implementation for the city centre and waterfront.
Deputy Mayor and Development Committee Chair Penny Hulse said: “As part of delivery of the Auckland Plan, there is significant work under-way to transform Auckland’s city centre and waterfront. This includes work to improve our public spaces, enhance pedestrian access and transform the retail experience.
“Auckland Council is guiding the overall work programme through the Auckland Development Committee. Over the past six months in particular, we have worked closely with the agencies to bring together a clear overview and guide progress as we move into the delivery phase.
“As we move through this work we will be seeking input from Aucklanders on any key decisions or developments.”
Penny Hulse also confirmed that the future vision for Queens Wharf will include public consultation. “The Wharf is jointly owned by the Government and Waterfront Auckland and will remain in public ownership.”
The overview of projects will be published in August.
Something I have called on before with projects especially around large scale like The Southern Initiative.
Now to get the next phase going with other “City Building Plans and Developments” – once they have been drawn up firs 😉
In Response About Parking at Keith Hay Park [UPDATED]
Local Board Member Michael Wood Replies This morning the Whale Oil Blog site published a post about an apparent attempt to install parking meters at Keith Hay Park. The Whale … Continue reading In Response About Parking at Keith Hay Park [UPDATED]
Something to Wrench a Cyclists’ Heart Out
Build Cycle Lane, then spend US$740,000 to rip it back out thanks to NIMBY’s
I caught this over at Streetblog USA earlier this morning in regards to what happens when NIMBY’s win. Pretty much a heart wrench to anyone who believes in a progressive city with progressive type infrastructure being built after near exhaustive studies were in support for the cycle lane.
An extract from Streetblog USA:
San Antonio to Tear Out the “Best Thing” City Has Done for Cycling
Score one for the NIMBY crowd in San Antonio.
City Council representatives have voted 10-1 to remove 2.3 miles of bike lanes on South Flores Street, which the local blog Bike San Antonio says is one of the few cases where the city put a bike lane “where one needs to be.” Council members apparently caved to nearby residents who claimed the bike lane caused traffic delays and complained about receiving insufficient notice of the changes.
The restriping of the two-way road, done during a resurfacing project, changed the configuration from four general traffic lanes to two, plus a center turn lane and bike lanes. City traffic studies found that the bike lanes caused no impediment to motor vehicle traffic, while crashes declined somewhat. But that apparently wasn’t good enough for the majority of council, including Rebecca Viagran, who represents most of the area with the bike lanes.
The San Antonio Express-News editorial board said the decision was shortsighted and disappointing:
What we’re looking at is a failure of leadership from council, particularly from Viagran.
Not only is it a monumental waste of money to appease a small group of overreactive residents, but it also flies in the face of stated city goals to improve bike infrastructure, the urban core and promote better health.
…
You can read the rest over at StreetBlog USA.
Not to worry we have similar issues with the Unitary Plan grinding its way through the next round (the Independent Hearings Panel) soon.
Talking Southern Auckland 