Some Auckland streets to mingle cars and pedestrians

**samgab** · 15th June 2009, 13:53

Does this seem like a good idea to you:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10578461

If I read it correctly, some of the busy Auckland city streets are going to lose the footpaths, making the entire street a road without signs, markings, or parking, and then cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians are all supposed to just make their way through the mess.
I can sure see that working out well.

"The concept is all around the psychology of space, understanding that personal responsibility is something we all need to have," urban design group manager Ludo Campbell-Reid told the committee. "It is pro-pedestrians but not anti-cars. It is innovative and very much an idea around democracy - it will be a good fit with the New Zealand psyche, so we'll all grow to love it."

What planet is this guy from?

**p.dath** · 15th June 2009, 13:59

Sounds a bit risky to me. I wonder how long we'll it will take before someone dies.

Anyone from another city on here that has done it?

**MIXONE** · 15th June 2009, 14:03

Sounds like the Wellington CBD to me.

**p.dath** · 15th June 2009, 14:07

What street has no footpaths in Wellington CBD?

**Badjelly** · 15th June 2009, 14:11

It sounds to me they are applying the ideas of Hans Monderman

http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cf...ssay_id=462572

There was quite a favourable reaction to this article when Forest linked to it in January:

Originally Posted by Forest

...Basically it presents the idea that traffic engineers are treating people like idiots by over-simplifying the roading system, and this causes drivers to drive idiotically (since their brains are becoming disengaged)...

However some of the enthusiasts may be unaware that one of the main advantages cited by Mr Monderman for his idea of removing signs and obstacles is that it lowers vehicle speeds.

**Slyer** · 15th June 2009, 14:12

Isn't this usually applied to tightly packed cities because there is no room for footpaths?

**balans** · 15th June 2009, 14:18

...Basically it presents the idea that traffic engineers are treating people like idiots by over-simplifying the roading system, and this causes drivers to drive idiotically (since their brains are becoming disengaged)...

People are idiots, that is why they drive idiotically.

Some people even have trouble walking, just look at your typical crowded mall.

**xwhatsit** · 15th June 2009, 14:20

Originally Posted by samgab

What planet is this guy from?

Dunno, maybe Earth... sounds like Vietnam to me.

Of course they're mainly riding Cubs, less cars. Don't see why it wouldn't work?

I don't know if there's a video on Youtube of a busy Vietnamese street, but there's no real road rules. Don't have to ride on one side of the road or whatever. No danger... everybody's moving slowly, calmly, just keep moving in one direction and don't suddenly do a wild zig-zag and confuse the riders coming towards you. Want to cross the road on foot... same deal... just walk across the road confidently, in a straight line, don't stop or speed up.

It's quite possible. Many of the inner-city streets don't really get over 15-20kph anyway. I like the idea.

**PirateJafa** · 15th June 2009, 14:27

Just wait for people to start parking like morons, wherever they want to. Sigh.

**MIXONE** · 15th June 2009, 14:30

Originally Posted by p.dath

What street has no footpaths in Wellington CBD?

No by that I mean that pedastrians in Welly tend to treat the road like it is a giant footpath.

**klingon** · 15th June 2009, 14:43

The funny thing is, a lot of Asian pedestrians seem to act like this is already the case. I constantly see streets in Auckland where there are perfectly good footpaths but pedestrians are strolling slowly down the roadway (often with their backs to the traffic). I see this being done by Koreans, Japanese, ethnic Chinese (not sure what country of origin) and Indians.

I can only assume they come from home countries where traffic moves a lot slower and/or makes room for pedestrians on the road. In NZ the most common response from drivers seems to be to drive as fast as possible, as close as possible - probably to "give them a fright" or "teach them a lesson".

It's a horrible cross-cultural mismatch and I'm amazed there aren't more serious accidents as a result.

**peasea** · 15th June 2009, 14:43

Originally Posted by p.dath

What street has no footpaths in Wellington CBD?

Ha, if you have a 4WD....all of them.

**TOTO** · 15th June 2009, 15:39

i actually like the idea. will be more Italy looking ...

ahhhhhhh Italia

**Brett** · 15th June 2009, 21:53

Works bloody nicely in : London, Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Florence, Malta (ok, not as much as the others....) and many other parts of Europe. I am excited to see how this pans out. The atmosphere and culture that one experiences in many parts of Europe is top notch, hopefully we can replicate something similar.