Waterfront and city: an association

Abstract

This report looks at the Lambton Harbour Development Plan and reviews the association it holds with Wellington City. Urban Design and organisational issues are recognised as the main issues that facilitate this association. In the first section, a literature survey of urban design texts is undertaken, with the conclusion being that a structure must exist over the whole city for Lambton Harbour to have an association with the city. The second section looks at the City Council's policies relating to Lambton Harbour's association with the city. The Council, owners of Lambton Harbour Development, seem confused as to their role regarding the integration of the city and Lambton Harbour. The development of the Urban Design Unit within Council appears to be dealing with this confusion. Section three develops Lambton Harbour Management's perception of the association. The history of the scheme is looked at, as well as the 1992 Concept Plan Review and the Lambton Harbour Design Guide, with the emphasis on the association of the water's edge and the waterfront development back to the city. It is recognised that the waterfront will complement the city, but that Lambton Harbour Management has a very introverted view of the development. The design guide does not develop a succinct contemporary view on the relationship between open space and building mass and how this relates to the city. Section four brings together the previous three sections and draws conclusions.