Are vertical streets the way of the future?

Growing up in New Zealand I had always been relatively scathing of the idea of skyscrapers...  As I get further through my planning degree, I am starting to seriously consider my previous outlook on them.  Skyscrapers, when designed well, can actually begin to be a positive influence on climate change and provide a very real solution to urban sprawl (especially in Auckland).

Vertical streets (mixed use skyscrapers) is an idea that promotes the collaboration of all of the landuses that you would find on a horizontal street, only positioned vertically.  Together with sustainable design, vertical streets could provide cutting-edge construction, energy saving, aerodynamic and ecological solutions.

Benefits:

• A higher than usual density for the size of the building footprint.
• Lowering the ecological footprint.
• Could be seen as a tourist attraction.

Issues: 

• People are reluctant to change, especially in Auckland.
• I am sure that the Council would find this type of structure to be "aesthetically unpleasing" and would be sure that it would have an "adverse impact on the wellbeing of surrounding communities".
• Promotes interaction within the complex but would there be some sort of social exclusion from the surrounding environment?  I am not sure that a vertical street could give you much of a sense of place.  However maybe this is just my 'scathing, hatin' on skyscraper subconcience' coming through!

It seems the main problem is acceptance from the community and council.  Demand needs to be created for structures like this in order for cutting-edge ideas to be passed through Council...

On the other hand, would vertical streets in a place like Auckland create a wanna-be Dubai atmosphere (which has resulted in a $60 billion debt and a sinking 'world')?  This concept may be sustainable, but the benefits do not seem to outweigh the costs.

Would you be willing to live in a vertical street?

Carbon Offsetting

Check out this link I just found online!  You can calculate your annual carbon emissions and pay to offset it.

If I drove to University and back everyday I would generate 2.74 tonnes of CO2 annually.

I also calculated flying to Australia because I annually visit my relatives that live in Brisbane.  For two people to fly to Brisbane I am generating an extra 1.11 tonnes of CO2.  This would cost £ 127.80 to offset.

Check out how much you contribute to our carbon footprint!

http://www.carbonneutral.com/carbon-calculators/

Introduction

Sustainable design is a way of designing for the future that promotes the wellbeing of people, places, economies and environments.  I am very passionate about this issue because sustainable design is a way of effectively reducing our ecological footprint which will in turn positively influence the negative effects of global warming.  I will blog bout this issue stemming my ideas from the Auckland Sustainability Framework goals and processes.  The main goal I am chosing to focus on is the recognition for a ‘quality and compact urban form’.   There are several indicative strategic responses which will contribute to meeting the goal which are outlined in the framework. 

These include:

• Put people at the centre of thinking and action
• Build a carbon neutral future
•   Reduce our ecological footprint
• Integrate thinking, planning, investment and action
• Value Te Ao Mäori
•  Think in generations, not years
• Create prosperity based on sustainable practices
•  Activate Citizenship

Over the next few weeks I will explore a few of these shifts and provide my point of view on some of the current ‘sustainable’ or ‘green’ buildings/areas that Auckland has to offer.  I will also use overseas examples to compare Auckland’s current sustainable design to some good and bad examples.

Hope you enjoy! Feel free to comment :-)