Planning for change in Porirua
Victoria University Architecture and Landscape Architecture students have developed a range of exciting proposals for how Porirua City can develop over the next 40 years.The study was part of the course work for third year paper, Urban Design Theory and Practice, led by lecturer Morten Gjerde, and was carried out in conjunction with Porirua City Council officials.
Students worked in pairs with their tutors over a 12 week period to understand the site, articulate a bold vision for change, and create a framework that would guide development over the next 40 years.
Because Porirua was developed according to Modernist ideologies in the 1950s that privileged travel by motorcar, the city has struggled to create a pedestrian friendly city centre.
The project kicked off with a visit to the city, and a meeting with council officials. Speaking in the foyer of Pataka Art Museum, Mayor Nick Leggett and the Environment & City Planning Manager, Matt Trlin, described the city’s brief history and multicultural background to students before outlining the council’s vision for the city’s future, and the challenges they face in getting there. He welcomed the students to explore these issues creatively.
The class was surprised when the Mayor said only three people were recorded as living in the town centre at the last census. The majority of students believe that a catalyst for change would be to establish residential activities in and around the town centre.
Students also identified potential for the council to tap into the Whitireia student and staff population to help vitalise the city, and for the city to become better connected to its waterfront area. It was considered important to make the stream and harbour areas more relevant to residents and visitors, and to raise the profile of the public transport network, particularly the railway.
Students were also given the opportunity to develop ideas for the Kenepuru precinct south of the city centre and Whitby, a mainly residential area in the east.
In addition to satisfying the academic aims of the course, the plans prepared by students presented a range of future scenarios they hope will inspire Porirua City Council and local residents to make changes to the layout of the city.