Will
Architect with own practice 2000-2012. Has worked in sustainable transport promotion -with cycling lobby groups- 2003-now.
Author Archives: Will
Congestion the bitter harvest of poor urban planning
2013, April 29 – 16:47
An extraordinary reaction to the ‘Funding Auckland’s Transport Future’ report, published in April 2013 shows the cluelessness of policy-makers.
Auckland’s ‘Consensus Building Group’ today published a report setting out two options for raising the twelve billion dollars allegedly required for future transport funding there. Two options are set out-
- Higher rates, fuel taxes and a regional fuel tax
- Road pricing (like London’s congestion charge)
Remarkably, presiding National Party transport minister Gerry Brownlee immediately insisted in a statement that congestion caused by excess car use and under-controlled urban sprawl is not to be questioned or challenged.
According to Radio NZ, ‘Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee, who hasn’t read the report, said a regional fuel tax, congestion charges and road tolls as they stand would never be agreed to. Mr Brownlee said New Zealanders ‘won’t be paying twice for roads’ when money has been generated through their excise duty or road user charges, while a congestion charge would not be appropriate on government-owned roads.’ Have motorists even paid once for these roads? Or does he expect the rest of us to support motorists’ expensive habits?
Fairfax Media reports, ‘A group of Auckland’s business and community leaders, convened by mayor Len Brown to give its view on funding projects to solve the city’s transport crisis, is today calling for public feedback on two funding options. Group chairman Stewart Milne says Auckland faces a $12 billion transport funding shortfall by 2041 if nothing is done. Employers and Manufacturers Association chief executive Kim Campbell says the city will suffer if nothing happens: “Finally when the place comes to a grinding halt, that’s when people leave. We don’t think that’s a responsible view.”
“Our population is projected to grow by as much as 1 million, with around 60 per cent of that coming from our existing populace”, says Brown.
The public is being asked to submit feedback on the group’s proposals before it makes its recommendations to Auckland Council in July.’ (Scott Morgan, Stuff.co.nz, 2013- April 29th)
This the same day that John Key was wheeled out for a conference of petroleum industry representatives in Auckland to tout oil exploration by ‘large oil companies’ in off-shore claim areas. Hmmmm…
I’m not up to date with the issues but it certainly seems remarkable that funding challenges of up to $12 billion can be discussed by senior Government members without reference to the Unitary Plan, denser urban planning, and the concepts of reducing transport needs from unnecessary car trips.
And looking beyond this current spat, it looks like some of the problems arising from virulent car-dependent sprawl are coming home to roost.
The Seven Wonders of Stoke -and Ranui Road’s NASA star
2013, April 19 – 15:34
I love living in Stoke, New Zealand but sometimes feel it is under-appreciated in the wider Nelson, not to say global, community.
So, to raise us up among suburbs worldwide, here is my Stunning Stoke Postcard, and a list with the first seven of the many, many Wonders of Stoke.
- Stoke Brewery
- Trees in Isel Park
- Our Poorman Stream was found in summer 2013 to have 16 species of fish in a 100-metre stretch!
- Barnicoat walkway and its stunning views to Farewell Spit
- The Hand of Stoke sculpture at the amazing Warren Wiggins-designed Library
- Beautiful new Athletic Pavilion at Saxton Field by Arthouse Architects (image below)
- Proper Crisps Factory. Crisps, beer and -at Pic’s- high-quality peanut butter. All the crucial food groups!
Hand of StokeAnd that list of Wonders doesn’t include our very own astronomer- Albert Jones, only coming to our attention in September 2013 just after he has gone before us into the stars. Rest in peace, Albert, we are heartened for your gifts to Stoke.
Some words about Albert from the blog, Simostronomy-” This quiet, unassuming New Zealander has made over 500,000 variable star measurements over the last 60 years or so. He has received honors from the Royal Society of New Zealand, the American Association of Variable Star Observers, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the British Astronomical Association, the Royal Astronomical Society, and has received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand.
In 1964 he was made one of the first four Fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand, and in 1987 he was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to astronomy. Minor planet 3152 was named after him in 1988 in recognition of his achievements
Albert told Somostronomy, ‘After I left school at the age of 16, I was well aware of my limited knowledge and never dreamed that one day I might be able to make a contribution to Astronomy, but for my own fun, and to satisfy my curiosity, I could at least learn the constellations and be able to recognize planets. So with the aid of books, I did that.
‘Then in answer to a request in the newspaper for reports of aurorae, I made detailed notes of the next aurora that I saw, sent it in and was thrilled with the reply stating it was the best report received. So two years later, I timidly asked if there was an astronomy club or society that might accept me as a member. Soon after, I became a member of the New Zealand Astronomical Society (later to become the Royal Astronomical Society New Zealand; RASNZ). Then I started receiving their journal ‘Southern Stars’”.
I often wondered why there were screens on some street lights outside Albert’s house, a minute’s walk from ours on Ranui Road. Turns out they were screened by Council on request from the US’ NASA- Albert’s work was so valuable to them that they sent a letter backing his request for less light spill onto his observatory!
Truly a wonder of his own.
Arthouse Architects’ stunning pavilion at Saxton FieldCycling the ‘Wonder Drug’
2013, April 6 – 11:52
From European Cycling Federation in a recent news article, a nicely-worded summary-
Cycling is the wonder drug of the transport world. It provides solutions to so many problems and unlike most forms of transport, it has lots of positive side effects. Think about it: people riding bicycles makes no noise, emit no air pollutants or greenhouse gases, they ease traffic congestion… the list goes on. But the real bread winner for policy makers are the health benefits. The more people cycle, the healthier they are. This means that cyclists don’t just ease congested streets, but they ease congested health systems. Higher levels of physical activity translates into reduced morbidity (ill health) and reduced mortality of cyclists.
Promote Hi-Viz, but not like this…
2013, April 6 – 09:55
What’s depressing about well-meaning taxpayer-funded initiatives like this is the total lack of understanding of the most simple, basic concepts of risk by those who should know better!
- Yet Another Misguided Hi-Viz Promotion (PDF, 1.8Mb)
In sharing the road with motorists, where is the risk to cyclists being created? From the motor vehicles, of course. So who should we educate and nag? Yes, well done. Those wielding over-powered heavy fast-moving metal objects.
If we’ve got funding for road safety measures, let’s improve driver standards by promotional campaigns, better driver training, lower speed limits, ongoing skills tests, higher enforcement before blaming the victims of poor driving.
For a real road-safety improvement measure, how about random stopping of motorists to test how good they are at spotting cyclists’ lights from a distance!?
Long-Awaited, Commendable Cycling Promotion Video
2013, April 5 – 21:25
“Share the Road with Cyclists” RSA Ad
Irish TV viewers may recently have spotted a new ad advising drivers on how to share the road with cyclists. Thumbs up to the Government’s Road Safety Authority for rolling this out. Not only is it well shot and scripted, but you have to approve of its messages. In fact, Dublin Cycling Campaign was involved in the background, and it’s a credit to the RSA that they took on board the well-known points from cycling advocacy we made.
Above is a screen-grab from the TV ad, and below it an image from the submission Will edited in early 2012. Let’s hope drivers around the country actually take notice and start giving cyclists the space we deserve. Click here to see this and other RSA ads.
The RSA also published a series of three ads aimed at cyclists last year. This time the RSA consulted us throughout scripting and filming. Though there was a list of niggles that advocates had with the final product -why hi-viz on every cyclist!?- the advice it gave, ‘you’ve as much right to your road space as any other road user, so ride with confidence and command your lane’ was a first in an Irish official context, and marked new ground for the promotion of cycling. Each of the three ads also took time to highlight some of the benefits of cycling, yet another piece of good news for us!
This series sadly wasn’t aired on TV, but you can view them here.
Omaka Airshow Photos
2013, March 31 – 10:23
Kiwis Glimpse Contents of One-Percenters’ Shed-
[print_gllr id=2383]
Marahau Photos
2013, March 27 – 20:39
Cate and Will off again on another little adventure. Cycle to Marahau 60km (vertical change about 200m); camp at MacDonalds; get ferry to Bark Bay in Tasman National Park, hike 22km back to tent; eat lots of burgers. Potter about Kaiteriteri on Sunday and lose track of time. Cycle back via Mapua and the Great Taste Trail complete with ferry ride. Excitement: New stove for the billy can. Cups of tea and espressos galore. Yay.
Hello