[!ai]
Presents a comprehensive vision inspired by global best practices, advocating for Barcelona-style superblocks, Copenhagen’s cycling infrastructure, and Vienna’s social housing model. She prioritizes safe streets through people-first networks with better lighting, cycleways, and accessible crossings, particularly in the tertiary area and North East Valley, while supporting placemaking initiatives that create cultural destinations and extending the George Street upgrade to the Octagon.
Kia ora Devonia,
My sincere apologies about the radio silence! I believe the Green team may have reached out to chat further (if not, we are definitely planning to).
In the meantime, below are the answers to your questions, in green of course!
Big picture: I don’t believe any one issue that Dunedin is facing (housing, transport, rates, air quality, climate, safety etc.) is unrelated to the way we design public life and that they can’t be addressed in isolation. The vision of liveability should be a multidisciplinary approach. Ōtepoti should be aspiring to global city initiatives like:
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Barcelona’s superblocks, pedestrianisation and inner city living
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Copenhagen’s cycling infrastructure and cycling being a first-choice for travel
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Vienna’s social housing model and quality of life
Locally: some steps we could be taking to achieve this is; investigate a land value rating-system to encourage more appropriate use of urban, vacant land and to incentivise property developers to build with a community in mind. Growing our social housing portfolio, championing the redevelopment of streets to be more inclusive and accessible and resourcing rail networks to alleviate traffic.
Safe streets are a top priority for me. It was very disheartening to see the Albany Street Connection being voted down when I personally see Albany Street as one of the most unsafe streets in the city yet also one of the most significant. Safety, walkability and inclusiveness within the tertiary area and North East Valley are very high on my list of priorities. We should be looking to implement people-first networks with better lighting, cycleways, greenery and wheelchair friendly crossings and walkways.
The significance of Placemaking cannot be undersold. Designing streets as places or destinations of culture and creativity will foster a strong connection between people and their surroundings enhancing our shared sense of belonging, connection, and purpose within a society. The George Street upgrade is an excellent example of designing with people by people and should be extended. Let’s tackle the Octagon next!
“When we build our landscape around places to go, we lose places to be”. - Rick Cole
Thanks for your patience, and engagement with local democracy!