Victoria Park Tunnel, Auckland

Design Review and Assessment

Urban design and Landscape Mitigation Plans (June 2009 – Sept 2011)

 

The expansion of Auckland’s motorway system in central Auckland and along a section of waterfront required careful design and management of both the new motorway infrastructure, and the areas impacted by the construction, to maximize the public realm benefits in a sensitive context. Key areas of environmental impact included significant parks, the relationship to the waterfront, prominent views, local residential amenity, streets, heritage buildings and Maori heritage sites.

 

Motu Design provided specialist urban design advice for Auckland Council to ensure the effects were appropriately mitigated through the assessment of a series of Urban Design and Landscape Mitigation Plans as well as other Notice of Requirement conditions. The development of these required intensive collaboration and negotiation between Motu Design (and Auckland Council colleagues) and the Alliance project team (NZTA, BECA,  Boffa Miskell, Fletchers)  to achieve the best possible outcome for the city whilst respecting their project objectives.  Careful management of the process to encourage design issues to be resolved, whilst key parts of the project progressed, was a key strategy in achieving outcomes.

 

Significant successes included:

• The return of the historic Rob Roy Hotel to its original location (after having been moved to make way for the tunnel construction) and the creation of a new plaza in front
• The iconic design of the St Mary’s Bay Footbridge
• The integration of art work and various design features that reflect the Maori cultural heritage and European history as part of the new infrastructure
• The design and location of the glazed noise walls and views to harbour and cliff.

 

Client: Auckland Council