Shared spaces need true public input, says Yan

Wellington, October 10 (JY&A Media/Push PR) Jack Yan, candidate for Wellington City's Mayor, believes that the city's "shared spaces" are mediocre compared other parts of the country and believes the solution lies in better public consultation.

‘If you compare the shared space on Cuba Street to that of Fort Street in Auckland, one feels much more welcoming to pedestrians. Unfortunately, that space isn't the one in Wellington,’ Mr Yan says.
‘We need to go back to the public on this, perhaps holding a public design competition and create a shared space which truly gives people priority. The present design absolutely fails to provide this. It simply feels like any other road.’

Mr Yan would also like to see much more green spaces around the city, suggesting that this could be achieved through "pocket parks".

‘If you look at places like Bond Street, where it meets Willis Street, we could create a small pocket park at the end. We could even go further and create a shared space on the street.’

Mr Yan says he has been developing his ideas about a more liveable city with the help of his colleague Malcolm Allan, a British planner and urban economist who now runs his own consultancy, Place Matters.

‘I believe we can help fund this by teaming up with businesses in the area, getting their input of the design and negotiate on the level of funding each party will provide. The businesses should, in theory, benefit from upgrades to the cityscape which will lead to increases in potential customers. This is something I would work through with the Council's officers,’ he adds.
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