Urban retrofitting

Abstract

The global population is projected to rise to 9.6 billion people by 2050, with upward of 60% expected to move into urban areas (Alberti, 2005). Economic geography further suggests that the pressure to expand and availability of cheap land at the urban fringe will lead to urban sprawl (Taylor, 1996). Like many major urban centres, Auckland faces problems related to urban sprawl, such as acute traffic congestion leading to unsustainable land use. (Jamieson, 2007) Shifting attention from new land development to retrofitting existing marginal spaces within the urban limits holds tremendous potential to rethink Auckland’s urban development. With focus on the development of remnant spaces in Auckland city, this project establishes a series of strategies to create a networked infrastructure that supports ecosystem health, thriving social communities, and economic opportunities. Particular attention is given to transport corridors that intersect with major residential, commercial, and industrial sectors of the city. The public transport system is explored as a tool for directing the future growth of Auckland. Project site: Westfield Railway Station, Portage Road, Otahuhu