This is a quick post highlighting a recent example of how the finished product for a project can often be quite different to what was promised in the artist’s impressions and press releases.

Back in February, Auckland Transport on behalf of Panuku Development Auckland started an upgrade to Putney Way in Manukau which runs alongside the new bus station. The artist’s impression and the language in the accompanying press release gives the feeling of a shared space focused on people.

The upgrade of Putney Way into a pedestrian-friendly main street for central Manukau starts next week. The upgrade will include a new single-level surface extending from the new bus station to the opposite pathway. Native trees will be planted along both sides of the street to make up rain gardens that help to clean stormwater before it reaches our drains. New lighting will also be installed to create a stronger sense of safety for evening commuters and residents. A local group has been invited to design artwork for the light panels. Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board Chair Lotu Fuli says it’s great to see changes in Manukau that benefit the community. “This type of street design is the first of its kind for central Manukau, improving the area for pedestrians and encouraging use of the new bus station, which sits at the heart of the south Auckland public transport network.” The upgrade is being carried out by Auckland Transport on behalf of the city’s urban regeneration agency Panuku Development Auckland. Panuku Project Director Clive Fuhr says the upgrade of Putney Way is part of the overarching plan to transform Manukau into the thriving heart and soul for the south. “This is the first of a series of projects for 2018 that will help rebalance the impact of roads, car parks and large buildings, making the area more people-friendly.”

The works are now completed and the council want to celebrate with a community event. But what caught my attention were the images of the completed street which seems to bear little to no resemblance to what was pictured and described above.

With the exception of different kerbing and being a concrete road, there doesn’t seem to me to be anything like what was sold to the public.

All of this isn’t to say that what has been built isn’t an improvement, for reference, here is what Putney way looked like before the bus station was started.

What do you think of the outcome of the upgrade?

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