October 2010
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October 2010 |
The Canterbury earthquake has highlighted some fundamental relationships between urban design, business activity and economic performance. These issues are of concern for any organisation planning the infrastructure of a community.
Many of the critical questions about whether social and economic initiatives are providing good value for money are only posed when assets are due for replacement. A revision of earthquake risk buildings policy, which many local authorities are now considering, may have the same economic effect on community structures or suburban business locations as a major earthquake. This has the advantage that, rather than drift on through a cycle of poor maintenance and declining commercial returns, there is a need to proactively evaluate whether businesses or services are sustainable in a particular location.
Our work on earthquake-prone buildings, heritage policies and suburban economic profiling has highlighted that social and townscape considerations can’t be managed without an understanding of the underlying economics. In locations which have fundamental economic strength, the rebuilding process is relatively easy. Even where a business doesn’t survive, a viable alternative business will occupy and trade from the premises. However, buildings in marginal locations often attract businesses with small margins and limited resources. These parts of town are often full of second-hand shops or ground-floor office operations. The destruction of these premises can mean that the businesses may not survive and there are no ready replacements. Also landlords may opt not to rebuild or strengthen, given the comparison of cash in the hand or low investment returns. This may represent a loss to a small community, especially in rural or suburban areas, where the existence of a raft of small retail outlets creates an identity. The shops and businesses in strengthened buildings, can’t survive if the neighbouring businesses between them have gone.
The fundamental challenge of urban renewal is to focus on viable economic activity, and support this with good branding and marketing. Changes in the urban environment are more likely to result from better branding, targeted events and attracting niche retailers than from a focus on the cosmetic issues of paving and landscape features.
Ian Reid
Ian headed the local team which responded to the economic impact of the Manawatu floods, and has worked on earthquake and heritage policy for various Councils and Government agencies.
Recent projects .
- Building Consent Authorities Accreditation
We have worked with sixteen Councils on their business processes for achieving accreditation under the Building Act. The result was practical solutions tailored to operate at the diverse scales of different Councils. - Earthquake-prone Buildings Policy
Changes in the Building Act also meant changed expectations of the seismic performance of Buildings. We assisted Wellington City Council to develop its policy, focusing on the timing of strengthening requirements. - Review of the Building Act
We worked within the Department of Building and Housing on the review of the consents process, and how this was going to be delivered. The result was moves toward a streamlined process and an understanding of the realities of the system operating in both small towns and large cities - Urban Design Initiatives
We’ve worked with a range of local authorities on how to measure the benefits urban design has brought to a precinct, and the what characteristics are important to ensure private sector buy-in. On occasions we have negotiated with developers on major developments to get the best balance of commercial and social return.
