A lot of other threads seem to end up referring to Newmarket, which is a pretty major sub-centre of Auckland. So perhaps it does need its own thread.
This is particularly of interest as the Newmarket Growth Area Structure Plan has its hearing next week. Sadly it's too late now for anyone to make a submission on the Structure Plan.
If you really want to read all about the Structure Plan, submissions that were made and so on, here's a link: http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/members/hearings/20081013_0930/hrg-131008-report-agd-#1.pdf
In any case, I will paste in a few key points about the structure plan:
- Reduced level of parking required. In fact, the new structure plan has maximum and minimum levels of parking provision, rather than the usual minimum only.
- More high-density residential/mixed-use zones. This should lead to better urban design and higher densities of development around the core shopping area. The Business Mixed Use zone and the Residential 8 zone require much more 'urban design analysis' than the Business 3 and 4 zones, which is where most of the current crap apartments have been built.
I do wonder whether much of the damage has already been done with some very poor developments here. Sure the increase in density is great, but it has come at a bit of a cost, most obvious with the "two concrete wall" development on the corner of Remuera Rd and Broadway. I also wish that a direct link from the new train station to Broadway was more possible.
This is particularly of interest as the Newmarket Growth Area Structure Plan has its hearing next week. Sadly it's too late now for anyone to make a submission on the Structure Plan.
If you really want to read all about the Structure Plan, submissions that were made and so on, here's a link: http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/members/hearings/20081013_0930/hrg-131008-report-agd-#1.pdf
In any case, I will paste in a few key points about the structure plan:
Sounds fairly reasonable so far...
I have had a brief read through this, and there are some good aspects of it. I noted the following:
- Reduced level of parking required. In fact, the new structure plan has maximum and minimum levels of parking provision, rather than the usual minimum only.
- More high-density residential/mixed-use zones. This should lead to better urban design and higher densities of development around the core shopping area. The Business Mixed Use zone and the Residential 8 zone require much more 'urban design analysis' than the Business 3 and 4 zones, which is where most of the current crap apartments have been built.
I do wonder whether much of the damage has already been done with some very poor developments here. Sure the increase in density is great, but it has come at a bit of a cost, most obvious with the "two concrete wall" development on the corner of Remuera Rd and Broadway. I also wish that a direct link from the new train station to Broadway was more possible.