David Lindsay was enthusiastic about the Share and Ideas Scheme,and the
use if the Internet to spread the message.
"If you don'thave the right level of public involvement, you'll have an
endless debate and no outcome."
"These debates will generate some HEAT."
He likened the process to that of a blacksmith, heating the iron,
hammering it into shape and then plunging it into cold water.
He referred us to the FIVE key objectives on page 12 of the draft plan.
Having objectives is easy. Getting it done is hard.
He spoke about the need to give the private sector confidence to rebuild
in Christchurch again.
There are many models for delivering different parts of the overall
scheme. This could start with city managed and owned projects, to many
different ways of mixing city v private design, ownership, and
maintenance, to full private design, ownership and maintenance.
His main example was the Toronto Waterfront.
http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/
Some key take-aways:
Innovate
Communicate
Use public powers for good purposes.
Relentless implementation.
Strong public engagement is as important as getting the finance.
MAKE destinations to attract people into the city.
Use public money to build features that make further private investment
attractive.
It takes a long time and much or the work isn't sexy.
Invite international participation.
Asking who wants to increase their rates to pay for this new project
isn't asking a serious question.
Is this project for the public good? If YES, how do we do it?
Building new infrastructure cost money, and it also adds a great deal to
the value of private land and the ability to collect attractive rents.
In principle, some of that value increase should be captured by the City
to pay for the public works. How?
Usually, it's increasing the rates. The future income from the rate
increase is the backing for the loan to complete the project.
In Toronto, there was a plan for new zoning and building associated with
new railway construction. There was to be a capital charge of (say)
$5000, for each new flat approved under the new scheme. That revenue was
intended to pay for the loan required for the capital works. After the
railway was completed, landowners and developers helped change the
powerbase on the elected council, and the commitment to enforcing
capital charges was reversed.
New word: Woonerfs
A woonerf is a narrow street without a sidewalk designed for pedestrians
and cyclists. BUT, cars are not forbidden, they must travel at walking
speed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
International Speaker Series:
Canterbury University in the Central Lecture Block
Monday, Tuesday. August 29th and 30th.
Starts 9.30am to about noon.
Starts 1.30pm to about 5.30pm.
To get there, off Clyde Road go down Arts Road.
Off Creyke Road go down Forestry Road.
The lecture theatres are where those two roads meet.
Parking off Arts Road.
The display for the proposed inner city rebuilding is displayed in the
foyer.