SUMMER 2017 17
precincts , because ‘ we cannot change behaviour on day one ’ – but , with all these parking structures built , will we ever ?
Yes , Christchurch has a centrally located bus exchange as magnificent as a cathedral , but across the ( Lichfield ) Street looms an equally stunning multi-storey car parking structure offering hundreds of spaces . Who will hop on a bus when people can have ample carparks right in the middle of the city ?
Recently Christchurch ’ s newspaper reported that the numbers of bus patrons are in freefall and the authority in charge has commissioned a market research to learn why people still prefer driving .
Looking at Christchurch ’ s inner city car parking capacities it seems obvious that Cantabrians stick with their old habits . And it ’ s not only the locals that hold on to their custom . When inquiring how this ambiguous planning of a carpark next to the bus exchange could comply with the council ’ s ambitions for a people-centred city , I learned that the council had been overruled by the government .
That means , if leadership is mistaken for conserving superseded behaviour to please everybody , New Zealand will remain a driver ’ s dreamland and pedestrian ’ s purgatory with an overlay of contemporary urbanist window dressing . �
Changing the law doesn ’ t cost much , adapting the cities to people-centred standards in civil engineering , however , takes time and effort .