Queen Street wins national urban design award

New Zealand Architecture Award: The Queen Street upgrade came out on top at national design awards.

From City Scene, published on 31 May, 2009.

Auckland City Council's upgrade of Queen Street has won a prestigious New Zealand Architecture Award for urban design from the New Zealand Institute of Architects.

The award was presented at the New Zealand Institute of Architects gala awards dinner last weekend. The project also won a national award for urban design.

A flagship project for the council, the Queen Street upgrade transformed Auckland's main street into a people-friendly environment comparable to any global city's main street.

More than 50,000 people use the street every day and are enjoying the benefits of the great design, which includes wider footpaths, safer pedestrian crossings, new art works, high-quality street furniture and new planting.

Additionally, as a result of the upgrade, Queen Street has seen a 30 per cent increase in pedestrians. This has led to a subsequent increase in revenue for retailers.

"This award indicates that the council has created a quality result for ratepayers that will leave a legacy for generations to come," says Councillor Greg Moyle, Chairperson of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee.

"We are very proud of this award, and we are proud of the great changes we have made to Queen Street and the surrounding areas."

David Jones, group manager of CBD Projects, says, "Auckland City Council worked very closely with Architectus, the Queen Street designers, to upgrade the street and to create an urban environment of high quality and world-class standing which all Aucklanders can enjoy. It's great that recognition of this achievement will be received through this prestigious award."

The Queen Street upgrade is part of Auckland City Council's ambitious $100 million, 10-year programme to transform the central city's streets and open spaces.

Other streets that have already been successfully upgraded as part of the programme include Lorne Street, Vulcan Lane and Quay Street. The redevelopment of Aotea Square and St Patricks Square is currently under way.

The council's group manager for urban design, Ludo Campbell-Reid says, "The overall upgrade programme is about giving people a high-quality and stylish urban environment to enjoy and relax in, while also helping attract more people to the CBD, thereby supporting CBD businesses."

Shared spaces

The council has recently announced that it's investigating the innovative urban design concept of shared space for a number of the remaining streets and open spaces that are to be upgraded within the CBD.

Shared spaces have been successfully implemented overseas and remove the traditional distinction between the footpath and the road, to provide equal priority to pedestrians and vehicles. Shared space helps to reduce traffic, supports business and retail activity, and allows streets to be used for more diverse activity.

This approach is being considered for Fort, Elliott, Darby and Lorne streets. The plans will go before the Transport Committee in June. Pending that meeting, draft designs will be released for public consultation later this year.