• Looking north across the central area of the square.
  • The town square in market mode looking north-west from Hurstmere Road.
  • Proposed water feature.

Shaping Takapuna for the future

Have your say on the Takapuna town square design

The pandemic has pushed the resilience of our city to its limits. But it has also proven that, in times of crisis, the value of people-friendly outdoor public spaces is more important than ever.

A proposed design for Takapuna’s future town square is currently before the community for feedback. The town square is part of a plan to revitalise the town centre and accommodate the significant growth expected to happen in the area over the next 30 years.

The 3,200sqm town square will be a public space with a variety of uses. Businesses will have the ability to set up outdoor dining, markets could be held on the square and there will be areas to sit in the sun or shade.

Takapuna enjoys an enviable location. The design of the new town square reinforces the link between the centre and the beach and offers a view toward Rangitoto from the Hurstmere Road entrance.

Regular programming of the temporary public space at 38 Hurstmere Road over the past year has fostered relationships with the community. These Takapunians will ultimately become the ones who programme the new town square in various forms, be it exercise classes, storytime for kids, musical performance, or even outdoor theatre and small concerts.

The square will complement other high-quality development in Takapuna that’s happened over the past years and will boost the centre’s status as a beachside destination, uniting Hurstmere Road shoppers and beachgoers.

The sites next to the town square will be turned into a new mix of shops, businesses and homes that will strengthen the community and the economy, while reducing reliance on cars.

To enable the urban regeneration of the town centre, car parks will be relocated from 40 Anzac Street to a brand-new car park at the Gasometer site on the corner of Huron, Northcroft and Auburn streets. The car park, currently under construction, will include electric car charging stations, bike storage and changing rooms.

The rest of this site will become a high-quality blend of commercial, retail and residential spaces that will assist in the ongoing growth of the Takapuna town centre.

Meanwhile the transformation of Hurstmere Road is underway to make the street a safer, more spacious and attractive environment for people by reducing car dominance and creating more space for outdoor dining and events.

Huron and Northcroft streets are also set to undergo improvements, following an announcement that Takapuna will receive funding from the government’s Innovating Streets for People programme led by Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Agency). This will involve working with the local community to co-design better walking connections from the new car park building, due for completion in October 2020, to Takapuna’s retail core.

 

Have your say on the Takapuna town square design

The consultation closes at 11.55pm on 14 August 2020. Provide feedback at akhaveyoursay.co.nz


Issue 112 August 2020