Urban development of Upper Hutt, 1945 to 1961: the evolution of a "new town"

Abstract

Centrifugal tendencies at work in the major urban areas are intensified by the attractive qualities of the peripheral zone. Enumerated these are : the presence of large parcels of land which can be obtained at a relatively low cost; the attractive site qualities, such as level land possessed by these particular areas; the presence of transportation services suited to the commuting function; and the relative control exercised on the residential function of these areas. Similarly centripetal forces are at work in the urban area as a whole. These are reflected in the continuing dominance of the city area as the industrial, commercial, administrative, cultural and social centre. As the work place for the vast majority of the working population, the city daily draws to itself the commuters from the peripheral areas. Such then is the basic nature of the relationship that exists between the Borough of Upper Hutt and Wellington City. The evolution to its present form of Upper Hutt has been the result of the rapid population growth experienced in the Wellington metropolitan area. Internally, the development of this "new town" has been accompanied by adjustments structured to meet the demands imposed by Wellington City. It is in these adjustments and in the particular ways in which they affect living in Upper Hutt that the especial interest of this thesis lies.