Why not come along to this public talk - "Doing density well in central Wellington" - Thursday 5 May
PUBLIC TALK: DOING DENSITY WELL IN WELLINGTON
Better public transport, safer streets, more green spaces?
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When: Thursday 5 May, 5.15pm– 7.00 p.m.
Where: St Peter’s Church, corner of Willis and Ghuznee Streets.
RSVP here
Organised by Live Wellington / Supported by ICW
A recent report about Wellington’s urban form concluded that traffic, car parks and land-banked vacant lots are occupying too much valuable land which could be used for people focused green spaces and public activities. Too many spaces are poorly connected, framed by buildings with inactive and dull ground floors and insufficient greening. Some wide streets promote high speed traffic and the large proportion of land used for parking make the central city less welcoming at night. We need more waterfront use, more green spaces, more high-density housing and fewer cars.
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Speakers:
Dr Roger Blakeley, chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Transport Committee. Roger has been Chief Planning Officer for Auckland Council, (2010 – 2015), Chief Executive of Porirua City Council(2000 – 2010), and Chief Executive, Ministry for the Environment (1986 - 1995).
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Cr Tamatha Paul, councillor for Wellington City’s Pukehinau / Lambton ward and deputy chair of the council’s planning and environment committee. Tamatha was elected in 2019 after being the first wahine Maori president of Victoria University of Wellington’s student association.
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Dr Paul Blaschke, environmental consultant with particular focus on urban ecology and sustainability, including a detailed study of central Wellington City’s green spaces.
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A recent report about Wellington’s urban form concluded that traffic, car parks and land-banked vacant lots are occupying too much valuable land which could be used for people focused green spaces and public activities. Too many spaces are poorly connected, framed by buildings with inactive and dull ground floors and insufficient greening. Some wide streets promote high speed traffic and the large proportion of land used for parking make the central city less welcoming at night. We need more waterfront use, more green spaces, more high-density housing and fewer cars.
These are key points in a report from the Gehl group, commissioned by Let's Get Wellington Moving, updating work done in 2004 which reached similar conclusions about how Wellington could best improve the quality of urban life. With the exception of work along the waterfront, the 2022 report, available at the url below, effectively concludes the city has done too little to address these issues during the past 20 years.
This session will be an opportunity to debate what is needed to translate ideas from international consultants into action as part of Wellington’s review of its long term district plan.