Shared Space Launch.

Image from Auckland Council's Facebook page.

Today, Auckland's first ever shared space was launched. Darby Street in Auckland City is the first shared space to be completed this year. I already blogged about other shared spaces being constructed around the city (Fort St. and Elliot St. The latter is currently under construction and completion will be around early 2012).

The event was well-received by many. It started at noon by the band Jimmy and the Goodbrew followed by Kidz in Space, a speech by Mayor Len Brown and finally Kingston. The bands attracted many people but there was also a photo/video kiosk, prize draw and free Mr. Whippy ice creams and Coke.

I personally enjoyed the launch. The bands performed well. Kidz in Space was the main attraction of the event and their performance was liked by many. People were dancing and many passers-by actually stayed for a few songs.

As for the shared space itself, I like it. It is definitely better than what it used to be. I think it's a good idea to have spaces like these around Auckland but the event today made me think that Darby St could have easily been a full pedestrian space and not a shared space (since it was closed off to cars due to the event). Shared space or not, it is still an improvement. 

Here are photos that I took during the event:

Different figures with descriptions to give people an idea of what shared spaces are.

The people enjoying the space. The guy on the left is maybe enjoying it a bit too much...

Kidz in Space performing.

The pleased crowd.

Mayor Len Brown officially launching the shared space.
Yes, that is Christopher Dempsey behind him (our last year's lecturer and now member of the Waitemata local board)

The launch was a good way to spend a Friday afternoon as told by the person sitting beside me. I asked a few people what they thought of the new look of Darby Street and they all seem to like it and hope other streets in Auckland will follow too. Len Brown also said in his short speech that there has been talks about Queen St. being turned into a full pedestrian mall. I really hope it happens one day.

I'll leave you with a short video of Kidz in Space performing and the crowd loving it and the speech of Len Brown thanking the people who made Darby St a shared space possible:

The little kid is cute and she danced in every song they played!

Sorry for the shaky video. My hand was getting tired holding my camera up.

You can see Chris in this video too as a member of Waitemata local board.

*All photos and videos are taken by myself.