With local body elections fast approaching, a number of candidates have now been declared with more expected over the coming months. Local government has a huge role to play in the shape of our communities.

We’ll be asking a variety of candidates a number of questions about positions and policies on urban design, architecture, heritage, and planning.

We’ll report back to you on what they have to say, or as the case maybe not say, in the e-newsletter and through the website.

If you have any thoughts on questions or possible candidates you’d like to hear from, please submit them through the website.

Here are a few to start with:

• What is your vision for the city and does it include urban design, architectural, heritage, and planning policies?
• What are your urban design, architectural, heritage, and planning policies?How important is this to you?
  
• What mechanisms and funding will you put in place to give effect to these policies?

All comments on the website are welcomed – but we do ask that you be prepared to put your name with your feedback.

Dominion Post, 27 May 2010

Mayor Kerry Prendergast would like to see private cars banned from Wellington’s ‘golden mile’ within 10-20years.

Removing cars makes the city more pedestrian friendly but the mile would still be open for public transport. which includes electric busses or light rail, courier vans, retail vehicles and taxis.

Mayor Prendergast seems to be going very middle road, by trying to appease both sides of the argument. Possible mayoral candidate, Sir Robert Jones believes that it should only be access for pedestrians, while Fran Wilde (Chair of the Greater Wellington Regional Council and Cross-council Regional Transport Committee) said that ‘making the golden mile an effective public transport spine, but did not require removing cars”

The vision for the golden mile, which runs from Lambton Quay, along Willis and Manners Streets to Courtenay Place is to align with the Wellington City Council’s transport strategy and moving more people on to public transport.

How would this shape Wellington City? Do you think that this is an effective way to use public space? If you are not a Wellingtonian, what would this mean to your town/city if your major shopping areas were turned into pedestrian only access?

Your comments are welcome.

To read the full story, visit the Dominion Post website here.