Editorial: Waterfront concept flawed ... but worthwhile

Auckland is a city generally well endowed with parks and reserves with one glaring exception. Its downtown waterfront area is a model of urban utilitarianism. Only Victoria Park offers a pocket of green to disturb the phalanx of grey. Remedying that deficiency should be a key thrust of the scheme that emerges eventually from the efforts of the Auckland Waterfront Advisory Group.

Thinking on a master plan for the Viaduct Harbour, focusing particularly on the industrial and commercial land towards Westhaven Marina, has kicked off with the vision of American architect Eric Kuhne. His is but one man's view, but it encompasses ideas worthy of consideration.

Chief among these is the idea of extending Victoria Park towards the harbour through the simple, although relatively expensive, device of putting part of Fanshawe St underground.

It would be impractical, however, to extend the park to the water's edge. The land is of such value that some of it must be reserved for commercial enterprise.

For that reason it is also unrealistic to turn the Tank Farm into an educational campus. No matter how suitable the land appears for such a development, equally suitable sites can be found elsewhere. This cannot be said for the locations favoured by marine-based businesses that would be attracted to the harbour's edge.

Some of Mr Kuhne's other ideas - twin giant fountains rising out of the water and the like - have an air of grandiosity.

But, if nothing else, his concept conveys the enthusiasm that this piece of land engenders in a visiting expert. That excitement should be a spur to the landowners, Ports of Auckland, Infrastructure Auckland and others who make up the advisory group, as well as to the New Zealand architects who will create the master plan.

They have the opportunity to develop the Viaduct Harbour in a manner that promotes Auckland's commercial and recreational well-being. It should not be lost.