FEATURE: Takapuna, the exciting future
North Shore City has been working with the community on some much-needed planning for the Takapuna area. The result is the Takapuna Strategic Framework Discussion Document which looks at opportunities for the next 30 years of growth and change and how that might affect the future make up, look and feel of Takapuna’s buildings, streets and other public spaces. The plan is that this framework will provide a direction for more detailed precinct planning and for the infrastructure and facilities needed to support the wellbeing of its businesses and residents. The document divides Takapuna into eight separate precincts: Central and Beachfront, Central West, Northern Hurstmere, Upper Shoal Bay, Anzac West, Barrys Point Road, Taharoto and Lake Edge. Key issues and opportunities for each area are discussed in each precinct section.
A large contingent of Takapuna Beach Business Association members were treated to a stimulating presentation in late May by urban designer James Lunday who has been working with council and other groups on this future vision for Takapuna. James, a Glaswegian who lives in Devonport, is a principal of urban design consultancy Common Ground and has over three decades of experience in waterfront design and implementation. Projects he has been involved in include Glasgow Docklands (Scotland), Ilfracombe Marina (Devon, England), Melbourne Port, St Kilda Marina, St Kilda Promenade, Yarra River Southbank (Victoria, Australia). Attendees were impressed with James Lunday’s presentation so Channel’s Aidan Bennett was despatched to find out more.
A Future Plan for Takapuna
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work out that Takapuna needs change. The exciting thing for residents and business people is that this change is well and truly under way. We have seen evidence of change happening with the introduction of new and exciting businesses to the area. Those who were lucky enough to take in the presentation by James Lunday around the Takapuna Strategic Framework Discussion Document will have been thrilled with what they heard. At long last there is a master plan being developed to ensure that Takapuna takes maximum advantage of its natural environment. This ongoing implementation of this plan will be aided by the fact that all the strategic planners in the region are going to be based in Takapuna when the Auckland super city structure comes to fruition later in the year.
James Lunday’s initial involvement with Takapuna planning has been working closely with Takapuna 2020, a group driven by local residents which includes Allison Roe, Guy Haddleton, Marco Marinkovich and Dave Donaldson. Their stated aim is that by the year 2020 Takapuna will be New Zealand’s premier village by the sea.
“The 2020 group have a real passion for Takapuna. They are keen to see the built environment improved to take advantage of the natural environment,” says James Lunday. “My involvement has really been around helping to answer some key questions. How do people currently perceive Takapuna and what do they want it to be? What are the steps to get it there?”
“Quite obviously we need to make more use of the natural assets such as the beach and lake. This is going to be helped by the government’s decision to base the National Ocean Water Sports Centre at Takapuna Beach. The beach is great but we need to link the parks and public space between the shops and
the beach.
“There needs to be residential development in the area to bring people and vibrancy. We also need to ensure that we are developing great buildings that fit in with the environment. High quality architecture is essential. The height of any new development in the beachfront area needs to be restricted to four or five stories to eliminate shadowing and wind problems that have come with existing high-rise like Sentinel. In short, we don’t want North Beach Miami, we want South Beach Miami. With these quality buildings we must have urban spaces to match with quality paving and landscaping. We also need to abandon the big developments.
History shows that
they don’t work in the area. Many haven’t come off. Maybe we are better to concentrate on slowly altering
existing buildings and introducing smaller developments.
“Hurstmere Road also needs to be addressed by making it very pedestrian orientated. Not by completely removing vehicle access but by making it pedestrian friendly. Anzac Street, Lake Road and The Strand also need to be more responsive to the needs of pedestrians. Carparking needs to go underground in any new developments.
“A real advantage of Takapuna is it has great lanes. These can be developed for shopping, fashion, cafes, restaurants and bars. This is something that we did in the Melbourne project back in the early eighties and worked very well.
“We need to make Takapuna unique and different from other areas of the Shore such as Albany, Browns Bay and Glenfield. To a certain extent this is already being recognised with the recent addition of new businesses in the area such as Takapuna Beach Cafe, Movenpick, Jam Cafe and The Department Store. Developers and real estate people are starting to realise that Takapuna is suited to a certain type of retail experience. In a way the competition is large malls and the Takapuna experience can be much more enjoyable. People enjoy the outdoors and street shopping which is what we can offer in Takapuna. “Public transport also needs to be a key consideration. People love travelling on ferries. We need to explore options for a wharf that can take advantage of the natural environment. We also need a direct link with the bus route. North Shore’s transport focus has been on Albany rather than Takapuna and Browns Bay.
“Hand in hand with all this change needs to be good marketing and events programmes, with budgets to match. Takapuna can be a regional sub-centre and an economic driver for the region which will result in many positive things. It will be a better place to live, work and shop in. Locals will spend more money locally.”
Note: Meetings are being held with a number of different groups within the Takapuna area to discuss the Takapuna Strategic Framework Discussion Document. These include Community Boards, Iwi, Takapuna Beach Business Association, Milford Business Association, Rotary, Takapuna 2020, Takapuna Residents Association, Anzac Street Residents Association, Environment Takapuna, Business landowners, Business owners, School boards, Organisations representing the elderly, Youth representatives, PHAB and representatives from sports clubs, arts facilities and event organisers.
Artists impressions featured were part of the discussion document to provide an idea of what could be achieved at Takapuna Beach.
Place making builds on Uniqueness
Placemaking focuses on perception of place. It is essential for success in a globalised 21st Century Economy.
What do all great places have in common?
Great environment, great urban form and vibrancy brought
by people.
Key principles of Takapuna’s future vision
- Urban mixed-use village
- Waterfront activated promenade
- Sense of community
- Healthy low pollutant environment
- Connect urban centre to sea
- Connect town with wider Auckland community
- New Zealand’s premier seaside urban village
- The most livable, beautiful and sustainable town centre in Auckland
- A place for culture, art, events, festivals, entertainment and recreation
- A place where cars do not dominate place
Takapuna Strategic Framework
- Takapuna has the potential to absorb more residential, retail and commercial development
- Takapuna has potential to build on its unique environment setting - beach and lake
- Takapuna can become a cultural arts and recreational centre of excellence
- Takapuna can provide a choice of residential lifestyles
- Takapuna can be a fashion centre
- Takapuna can develop a network of beautiful and pedestrian friendly streets and lanes
- Takapuna can build on its characterful precincts, human scale, mixed-use and diverse
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Takapuna beach has the opportunity to be the water recreational focal point of New Zealand
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