“Supporting growth” but can we afford it
Last week the Supporting Growth project released their indicative transport network maps for the greenfield growth areas in the North, Northwest and South. Combined these areas are expected to see more than 130,000 new homes and 76,000 new jobs – basically adding about two and a half Hamilton’s.…
41 Comments Road Building Brouhaha
Over the last week there’s been a flurry of discussion in the media about the country’s transport priorities following the publication of a letter by the government’s Business Advisory Council (BAC). There are a number of areas the BAC have concerns about with infrastructure but the key point of contention can be easily summed up by the headline Business Council’s blunt message to Government: We need more roads.…
ATs journey planner – new look, same garbage results
Whether you’re trying public transport for the first time or you’re a regular user wanting to try to use PT for a new route, journey planning will play an important role in understanding your options. However, Auckland Transport’s journey planner has always been a poor experience.…
Zero Carbon
Silver Pine*
Businesses in New Zealand compete on a playing field that undercharges for pollution and thus disadvantages low-carbon and environmentally-friendly practice. Similarly, business-as-usual mindsets hinder low-carbon and environmentally-friendly transport and land use plans. We need strong climate law to break through to progressive action.…
2019 Council Election – transport thoughts
The next council election is exactly 3 months away on October 12. There are already many candidates announced for Mayor, councillor and local board positions and we’re starting to see some policy emerging. With that in mind, I thought I would pull together some of the key areas those seeking to be elected should be focusing on trying to deliver.…
The “Progressive NIMBY” conundrum
A recent Huffington Post article shines a light on a rather surprising political battleground in many cities around the world – seemingly progressive residents going feral against change in their neighbourhoods. In May 2018, a public meeting in a wealthy enclave of one of America’s most progressive cities devolved into a two-hour temper tantrum as longtime residents incensed about a proposed tax to fund homeless services shouted down its proponents.…
Making electric cars cheaper
Yesterday the government announced they are looking to bring in a feebate system for new cars that would see electric or plug in hybrid vehicles up to $8,000 cheaper which would be paid for by making vehicles with higher emissions up to $3,000 more expensive.…
Auckland Building Activity soars
In mid-2009, in the wake of the global financial crisis, the number of new building consents issued over a 12-month period plunged to the lowest point since the regional level data began in 1990 (prior to that it is only at a national level).…
Auckland Transport’s Parking Nonsense
AT has created a storm that never needed to exist.
Ten years ago, Aucklanders understood the law. You could not park a car on a verge or footpath, and vehicle crossings were for crossing the footpath, not places to park. If you parked there for more than a minute or three, you’d be ready with an apology.…
Flashback Saturday: How should we pursue good urban design?
Every weekend we dig into the archives. This post by Peter was originally published in November 2016.
I’m not an urban designer or an architect – economists are famously bad at that sort of thing – but I do pay attention to the way places are built.…
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