Planning the engines of urban prosperity Wondered how your city and/or region works. Wondered what Planners do to enable (that is enable not disable) the ongoing evolution of your city … Continue reading Ben goes Planning Part 3: Marsden Point Economic Development Strategy: A Master Plan for Integrated Urban Development and Economic Growth
Also a recap into planners and how they can influence economic development Wondered how your city and/or region works. Wondered what Planners do to enable (that is enable not disable) … Continue reading Ben goes Planning Part 2: A Deeper Dive. Building Safer, More Connected Communities – A Policy Framework for Integrated Cycling Networks and 30 km/h Zones
The hidden logic behind the City’s Blue Print of Marsden Point Wondered how your city and/or region works. Wondered what Planners do to enable (that is enable not disable) the … Continue reading Ben Goes Planning Part 1: 5 Surprising Truths About How Your City Works (Learned from a Video Game)
The consequences of those deliberate choices made earlier on In developing Manukau City Centre in Cities Skylines 2 through my 3.x series, I pondered about how much complexity goes on … Continue reading The Very Definition of Planning Complexity
A revolutionary vision for intercity rail in New Zealand promises to reshape the landscape and unlock unforeseen potential in the upper North Island. The Regional Rapid Rail proposal, with its strategic goals and outlined benefits, aims to connect major centers, catalyze regional development, and bolster environmental sustainability. By leveraging existing infrastructure and prioritizing integrated land use, the plan seeks to stimulate economic growth while enhancing the liveability of towns and cities. This visionary approach transcends mere transportation, offering a transformative solution for urban connectivity and unlocking untapped opportunities.
Provocative Summary:
“Enough with the delays and dithering! Let’s bring in the masters to get our transit projects off the ground and out of the public books. With Japan’s expertise in rail and potential assistance from Singapore or Hong Kong, we can finally achieve a reliable inter-city rail and a much-needed Airport to Botany Rapid Transit Stage 2. By keeping costs off the public books and creating vital transit-oriented developments, it’s time to stop dithering and ask for the help we clearly need.”
In a bold proposal, the idea of implementing Japan Rail-style intercity services in New Zealand’s Golden Triangle gains significant traction with wide-ranging support, marking a striking shift from its initial lukewarm reception. The plan entails hourly passenger train services, reaching speeds of 160km/h, with a focus on existing narrow-gauge rail infrastructure. Moreover, a comprehensive cost breakdown reveals that the implementation cost is comparable to that of a single major highway project, prompting a provocative question: why not harness the expertise of Japan, renowned for its transit systems, to pioneer this transformative venture?
Talking Southern Auckland 