Framework

The Wellington Waterfront Framework

In August 2000 the Wellington City Council decided upon a new three-stage process for agreeing on future development plans for Wellington’s Waterfront.

STAGE 1 - would:

Provide an overarching vision for the waterfront.
Establish the principles, including values, governing future development.
Provide a framework for urban design.

To undertake this stage of the process the Council established the Waterfront Leadership Group (comprising three City Councillors and seven members of the public representing various community interests) who made a number of recommendations in their report, ‘The Wellington Waterfront Framework’ (the Framework). The Framework represents 18 months of consultation with Wellingtonians and the Council ultimately adopted the Framework as its policy for the waterfront in April 2001. It is against this Framework that all proposed waterfront developments are now weighed.

The Framework affirms the vision for the waterfront’s development; establishes the principles and values governing future development; and provides a framework for urban design.

Themes

The Framework identifies a number of inter-linking themes for the waterfront including:

historical and contemporary culture
city to water connections
a promenade
open space
diversity

Values

The Framework outlines a set of key principles and values that the overall waterfront development must abide by including:

expression of heritage and history
expression of Maori heritage and presence
‘sense of place’ for Wellingtonians
diversity of experience
sense of collective ownership and involvement
experience of space and openness
ease of access for all

Objectives

The Framework also sets out objectives for the waterfront’s design. They are:

The waterfront is locally and internationally recognised for its design.
The waterfront is readily accessible to all people.
The waterfront is, and is perceived to be, safe at all times.
The waterfront is seen as an attractive place that draws Wellingtonians and visitors alike.
The waterfront successfully caters for a wide range of events and activities.
Significant heritage buildings are protected on the waterfront.
Activities on the waterfront are integrated with those on the harbour.

For more detail on the vision, principles, values and objectives driving development of Wellington’s Waterfront, please click here to access the full Wellington Waterfront Framework.