The urban regeneration of declining CBD periphery zones : the study of the Strand Station area in Auckland

Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION: How can the declining CBD periphery zone be regenerated and promote urban development in big cities?

ABSTRACT: As an increasing number of people’s agglomerate in large cities, the realm of urbanisation of these cities is becoming more significant. The CBD periphery zone (CBDPZ), which is the immediate edge area of the city centre between the CBD and the suburbs, is faced with several problems from this urban growth such as poor land use, low-quality public spaces and functional isolation due to heavy road traffic as the CBDPZ deteriorates. However, the CBDPZ has a high value for urban regeneration with potential opportunities such as introducing new public spaces, creating new transit nodes and promoting further urban expansion. This research by design project identifies several approaches to address current urban problems.

This research investigates a potential approach to regenerating the CBDPZ in large cities. After background reading and literature review, such as Drosscape, landscape urbanism and transit-oriented development (TOD), several methods are employed including using design precedents, undertaking data analysis and developing a research by design process. The research investigation looks at the Strand Station area on the north-east edge of Auckland City Centre as a case study, as it is run-down with similar problems to the defined CBDPZ. The site has a great deal of potential for environmentally friendly and transit-oriented urban regeneration, helping to create a sustainable and resilient city for its location and urban context.

The design project identifies an urban redevelopment strategy for the Strand Station, which is a unique Green-Blue TOD park. The result will optimise land use, rehabilitate geographic contexts, create high-quality public spaces and improve connectivity and mobility. This new type of TOD project without high-density buildings is likely a big park dominated by social green and stormwater treatment blue, beside a new train terminal. The renewal creates a park, encouraging big images of large-scale urban development, like recreating the Auckland waterfront and even linking other cities in New Zealand such as Hamilton and Wellington by high-speed rail. Ultimately, the research seeks not only to improve Auckland’s urban form through redeveloping the Strand Station area but also to help other big cities around the world make strategic plans for the urban regeneration of run-down CBDPZs.