More news for this week

Making Aotea Square a great space for events

From City Scene, published on 6 July, 2008

People magnet:  Repairing the Civic car park means Aotea Square will once again be able to host free concerts, such as this 2005 NZ Music Month gathering, festivals, civic events and big-screen coverage of sporting events.

Contemporary and versatile:  The council wants to make the square a vibrant civic space similar to Melbourne's Federation Square.

Auckland City Council wants to breathe new life into Aotea Square so it can once again host major public events, such as screening Rugby World Cup matches, and become a safer and more people-friendly space.

A draft design to revitalise the 30-year-old square will be released this Thursday for public consultation. The council particularly wants feedback on the proposed trees, paving, seating and lighting.

"We have to repair the Civic car park underneath the square, so it's an ideal time to give Aotea Square a contemporary look and versatile layout," says the council's Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee chairperson, Councillor Greg Moyle.

 "Strengthening the Civic car park roof means Aotea Square can support crowds of 20,000 or more. We want Auckland to have the sort of space international cities need to host free public events such as festivals, concerts, civic events and big-screen coverage of sporting events. It's important people have their say on something that will serve citizens for decades to come, so we welcome public feedback before the final design is decided."

The Aotea Square draft design has been developed by award-winning landscape designers Ted Smyth and Associates, with input from other leading urban designers and technical experts. Ted Smyth and Associates have designed many public spaces in Auckland, including Quay Park, Basque Park and Lumley Plaza.

Public consultation on the draft design closes on Friday, 1 August. City Scene will have more details next week.

Have your say on Aotea Square

• More information and a feedback form available online from 10 July  .
• Visit the council's display in the Aotea Centre or the information booth in Aotea Square (Thursdays, 11am-2pm; Fridays and Saturdays, 10am-5pm, from 17 July to 26 July).

Public feedback on the draft design for Aotea Square opens this Thursday, with a 1 August deadline.