Movement and Place – From Theory to Application

Sid Scull & Luis Diaz Gutierrez

Mott MacDonald, Auckland NZ

This presentation was delivered at the 2021 Online Conference Series and until October 2022 is only available to registered delegates and Content Access Pass holders via Interchange. For information on accessing this and other presentations please review the Content Access Pass options.

ABSTRACT

The rediscovery of streets as more than just conduits for moving vehicles has grown over the past decade. The movement and place theory, that streets create places that people want to spend time and not just travel through, has become the accepted planning framework in many countries and regions.

In New Zealand and Australia many local authorities have established their own bespoke movement and place frameworks to respond to the challenges of their context. However, simply developing a framework is only the first step in planning and designing streets that better reflect their place function. This presentation will discuss how movement and place is being applied in street design and planning.

One of the key challenges in applying movement and place is having a consistent approach, while also ensuring that professional, informed judgement is not removed from the process. The Auckland system planning approach has developed a top-down and bottom-up methodology that effectively combines data and judgement.

In Melbourne, movement and place is driving the regeneration of precincts as part of the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) project. The street typologies for streets within the precinct are used to define the appropriate design response.

In Hong Kong, movement and place has been used to improve walkability. A pedestrian focussed movement and place framework, looking at movement of pedestrians was developed. Through the application of pedestrian street types within superblocks, the framework enables context-appropriate solutions to improve walkability.

The Tauranga Street Design Tool is a data-driven tool that uses movement and place data and street type to identify appropriate design responses.

This presentation will comment on our work in developing and supporting the implementation of these movement and place approaches. It will highlight opportunities and challenges, and conclude with recommendations as to how this approach can become fully embedded in our planning processes.

Author(s)

Sid Scull | Mott MacDonald

Sid Scull is a Senior Transport Planner for Mott MacDonald in Auckland. Over the past three years he has worked to develop movement and place frameworks across cities in Auckland and Tauranga, leading the adoption of this approach within New Zealand.

Sid employs an outcomes-based approach to transport planning, looking at the bigger picture to identify opportunities for improved results. Sid is an advocate for sustainable transport and urban outcomes, with a particular interest in improving the urban environment for people walking and on bikes. Sid is one of New Zealand’s most experienced Movement and Place practitioners, responsible for developing frameworks for Auckland and Tauranga, and providing input into the national approach to movement and place that is currently under development.

Luis Diaz Gutierrez | Mott MacDonald

Luis Diaz Gutierrez is a Senior Transport Planner for Mott MacDonald in Auckland. He is a well-rounded transport consultant with nine years’ experience and an extensive range of skills and experience gained working for clients in different locations across the globe including the UK, Australia, NZ, Hong Kong, UAE and Spain.

Luis is a natural problem solver with a proven track record in delivering analytical and digital solutions based on GIS platforms and tools which are engaging and easy to use. Able to provide advice across all modes, Luis is passionate about delivering safe and sustainable transport solutions that make cities more liveable at different scales, from strategic planning to the concept design of transport schemes.