Ferry Oriented Development: A Miramar Case Study

Abstract

Widespread traffic congestion and unaffordable housing are two indications that urban sprawl is no longer compatible with today's society. In response to this, a number of agencies have initiated efforts towards more sustainable and better quality urban growth strategies. This includes Peter Calthorpe's concept of Transit-Oriented Development (TOO), which has gained popularity worldwide as a means of addressing a number of urban problems by encouraging higher levels of transit use.

Largely theorized and applied to land-based modes of transport such as rail and buses, this thesis looks to apply the principles of TOO to water based modes, more specifically, passenger ferries. Waterborne public transport alternatives such as ferries offer many opportunities as a new mode of public transport for congested urban centres with waterfront access.

Enhancing connectivity with the rest of the city, the potential for a passenger ferry route servicing the Miramar Peninsula and the Wellington International Airport is proposed as part of the city's Ngauranga to Airport Strategy study. The service is one of a number of initiatives towards achieving the local government's vision of providing a balanced and sustainable transport system.

This research takes advantage of three key themes: a demand for smart growth, the resurgence of investment in waterfronts and renewed interest in water transport modes. At the convergence of this is the key focus of this thesis: smart growth sited at key waterfront sites.

To theorize how such development may be achieved, this thesis seeks to answer the following questions: what types of urban and regional forms are most compatible with a passenger ferry service? What type of land-use activities can ferries support or help to support in or around a ferry terminal? The outcome of this research will be a set of key principles that will offer guidance to planners seeking to establish patterns of smart growth that make greater use of existing waterfront environments. For the purposes of this thesis, an illustrative master plan for development along the waterfront area surrounding the Miramar Wharf, Wellington is developed. By establishing development guidelines towards a new form of walkable, mixed use urban development centred on the existing waterfront, this research seeks to contribute to the limited body of knowledge on the topic and offer transport planners an alternative means of development that can counter the effects of urban sprawl.