The city of Christchurch, New Zealand has received funding support from the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency for two of its projects aimed at making streets safer and more people-friendly.
The two Christchurch projects being funded are:
- Haeata Connections – centered around the Haeata Community Campus and surrounding community in Aranui, this project aims to deliver community-led initiatives that open streets to the community – particularly students – with a focus on local ownership and delivery of active transport opportunities; and
- Gloucester Street Shared Space – which will focus on enhancing the street by building on previous adaptive projects in the area. It will also trial a unique space that provides for people while supporting the Performing Arts Precinct and local businesses.
“These two projects are about putting people at the heart of our streets and we are delighted that Waka Kotahi has selected them to receive funding,’’ said Jane Davis, general manager infrastructure, planning and regulatory services, Christchurch City Council. “The funding means that we can push on and work alongside the community to make our streets safer and more welcoming for everyone.”
The funding comes from Waka Kotahi’s Streets for People pilot program, which has previously funded projects such as cycleways, parklets, low traffic streets, community spaces, and safer school crossings.
“Our new program, Streets for People, builds on the solid learnings and experiences from the Innovating Streets programme, and it will help us move towards a healthier and safer future for us all, by putting people and place at the heart of our streets,” said Kathryn King, urban mobility manager, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. “Streets for People enables councils to partner with their communities more easily, to create more welcoming spaces for people quickly, letting towns and cities across Aotearoa see the difference, and enjoy the advantages of low-cost improvements now, while working towards more permanent solutions. It’s becoming clear that our communities across Aotearoa New Zealand want safer and healthier streets that cater for everyone, and Streets for People is a step in the right direction to help achieve that.”