On Thursday, we threw it back to 2005 for a look back at a report from Rosie Gallen, a longtime member of IACD in New Zealand. We are thrilled to bring you her report comparing and contrasting the situation from then to now.
From her report:
In November 2018 the Government announced a $1.5 billion investment over the next 25 years to work with the community on revitalising eastern Porirua. The Porirua Development project is being delivered in a formal partnership between Kāinga Ora, Porirua City Council and Ngāti Toa Rangatira.
Porirua Development focuses on housing quality, options and affordability, while improving social and economic outcomes to make eastern Porirua a better place to live, work and raise whānau.
The scope of the project encompasses all aspects of how neighbourhoods can be improved to make it easier for people to come together, to get around and to do business.
In March 2019, Porirua Development began the communitywide engagement process to understand community needs and aspirations. It was also to ensure that the community’s voices and input are reflected in the early stages of Porirua Development’s planning processes.
The feedback was extensive and provides us with weighty insights into what people of eastern Porirua value, their lived experience, and their visions for the future.
Most of the responses received during the engagement process were largely positive and constructive. It also provided an opportunity for people to express their concerns and fears about the project.
Eastern Porirua is an area where people feel a sense of place and identity, a place that is welcoming, creative and resilient. People enjoy the multi-cultural nature of their community and don’t want to lose the unique feel of eastern Porirua. Most of the people participating in the engagement process value their strong sense of community and the warm welcoming nature of the residents living there.
There is concern that people will be relocated as part of this project and won’t be able to return or be priced out due to rising rents.
There is also significant support for change to the housing and amenities in eastern Porirua but it comes with some reservation. People of eastern Porirua want to be central to the project, to be involved in matters and decisions that affect them. Their desire is to work with Kāinga Ora in the planning and implementation of this project.
People are cautious about increasing density and the design of new housing. People understand the need for more housing, but want to see a different style of housing that caters for larger families and multi-generational living. Home ownership is a desire for many people and there is strong demand to see more affordable housing models.
People wanted to see major improvements to the parks and the creation of safer, accessible whānau-centred recreation spaces, and sports facilities.
There is high need and demand for more and improved community spaces in eastern Porirua. The current facilities are insufficient and are not fit for purpose.
Traffic management, parking, roads and footpaths were mentioned frequently, mostly in the context of improving safety and making the urban environment more accessible. Ensuring there is a coherent transport system and infrastructure to increase people’s ability to get around – either by walking, cycling, travelling by motorised scooter or driving – is a priority to many participants.
Management of storm and waste water featured often, with many people expressing concern about the quality of the waterways and the pollution of the Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour.
Collection and disposal of rubbish generated much discussion, ranging from a desire for greater inorganic disposal services to better recycling capability. Dumping of rubbish and a lack of resident education on this subject was also a popular topic.
via Community Engagement Report Whakawhānaungatanga March – December 2019
You can read and download the full report here:
