Abstract:
This research develops a set of design criteria to direct the
enhancement of residential proximity, retail convenience and
urban amenity within neighbourhood centres.
Neighbourhood centres are an important part of a city's
infrastructure. They can provide service amenities for
local residents, foster social interaction, create economic
platforms for smaller businesses, provide nearby places of
work and contribute to the local identity of their surrounding
neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood centres create layers of
intensity within our suburban fabric.
Traditionally, neighbourhood centres served their local
market catchment. Today, by contrast, there are many retail
alternatives easily accessible to our mobile society. In New
Zealand, these centres are often located in low density suburbs;
if they are to maintain a level of patronage, they must compete
to hold their local customers.
In this study, three aspects of the retail experience –
proximity, convenience and urban amenity – were identified
as fundamental considerations in the selection of a retail
environment. A literature survey was carried out to create an
initial set of design criteria which outline the key priorities
for these three research themes. Comparative analysis of three
neighbourhood centres in Christchurch, and detailed analysis
of one of these centres, informed a number of subsequent
refinements to these criteria, making them more specific to
the residential, retail convenience and urban characteristics
of these centres. The Christchurch centre of Woolston was
chosen as the site for a design case study, where the amended
set of criteria directed the design of both a master plan and an
individual building.
Finally, the design outcomes were used to formulate a number
of strategies which can be used to retrofit other centres,
responding to their existing built fabric and suburban
structure. These strategies include parking lanes, central
orientation spaces, anchor structures, secondary streets and
retail zones. These strategies ensure that neighbourhood
centres can provide both residential proximity and retail
convenience in such a way that enhances their urban amenity.
Ultimately, this research provides strategies to develop
neighbourhood centres as distinct, convenient and enjoyable
places to work, live and visit.
