Roeland
@roelandschks.bsky.social
Auckland suburbanite and former urbanite.
got an old school blog thing. https://wrongsideofmycar.blogspot.com/
got an old school blog thing. https://wrongsideofmycar.blogspot.com/
From thespinoff.co.nz/society/23-0...
This is one of those things that is obvious once it is spelled out. I would love architects and developers to take note. I strongly suspect so-called “ugly” buildings are ugly, because it is aggressively obvious that nobody cared about their exteriors.
This is one of those things that is obvious once it is spelled out. I would love architects and developers to take note. I strongly suspect so-called “ugly” buildings are ugly, because it is aggressively obvious that nobody cared about their exteriors.
Brighter isn’t always better: How lighting plays a crucial role in making cities feel safe
Good lighting is the difference between a public space you want to be in, and one you avoid.
thespinoff.co.nz
June 22, 2025 at 9:51 PM
From thespinoff.co.nz/society/23-0...
This is one of those things that is obvious once it is spelled out. I would love architects and developers to take note. I strongly suspect so-called “ugly” buildings are ugly, because it is aggressively obvious that nobody cared about their exteriors.
This is one of those things that is obvious once it is spelled out. I would love architects and developers to take note. I strongly suspect so-called “ugly” buildings are ugly, because it is aggressively obvious that nobody cared about their exteriors.
Why not put a golf course right next to a rapid transit, and put the new town centre all the way out in Albany?
That decision did not age super well.
Can we turn this area into ‘town centre’ though?
That decision did not age super well.
Can we turn this area into ‘town centre’ though?
June 11, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Why not put a golf course right next to a rapid transit, and put the new town centre all the way out in Albany?
That decision did not age super well.
Can we turn this area into ‘town centre’ though?
That decision did not age super well.
Can we turn this area into ‘town centre’ though?
Neighbourhood of Smales Farm station. Google Maps, and Auckland Council GeoMaps.
Notice anything missing on the latter?
Notice anything missing on the latter?
June 9, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Neighbourhood of Smales Farm station. Google Maps, and Auckland Council GeoMaps.
Notice anything missing on the latter?
Notice anything missing on the latter?
The lane next to Nelson Street, with the Sugartree apartment complex on the left. Google Streetview, 2019 and 2022. Spot the difference.
June 3, 2025 at 9:58 PM
The lane next to Nelson Street, with the Sugartree apartment complex on the left. Google Streetview, 2019 and 2022. Spot the difference.
A few more random vistas from the area around Birkenhead.
(1) spot the top of the Sky Tower, from Verran Road.
(1) spot the top of the Sky Tower, from Verran Road.
Auckland is hilly, and one of the perks of hilly cities is vistas.
With a modicum of urban planning competence — parks and terminating vistas in the right place —Auckland could be *amazing*.
Here, a street acts like a mini viewshaft. Can you spot Highbury, and the Sky Tower?
With a modicum of urban planning competence — parks and terminating vistas in the right place —Auckland could be *amazing*.
Here, a street acts like a mini viewshaft. Can you spot Highbury, and the Sky Tower?
June 2, 2025 at 4:58 AM
A few more random vistas from the area around Birkenhead.
(1) spot the top of the Sky Tower, from Verran Road.
(1) spot the top of the Sky Tower, from Verran Road.
A commute in Auckland, in pictures.
I noticed the rollback of the speed limit changes in Auckland is now underway. The street to our local school has been reverted to 50km/h.
I noticed the rollback of the speed limit changes in Auckland is now underway. The street to our local school has been reverted to 50km/h.
June 2, 2025 at 4:37 AM
A commute in Auckland, in pictures.
I noticed the rollback of the speed limit changes in Auckland is now underway. The street to our local school has been reverted to 50km/h.
I noticed the rollback of the speed limit changes in Auckland is now underway. The street to our local school has been reverted to 50km/h.
Look at this motorway gantry sign: you can now answer two questions about our traffic rules:
- left hand traffic or right hand traffic?
- keep [left/right] unless passing, or pick any lane?
- left hand traffic or right hand traffic?
- keep [left/right] unless passing, or pick any lane?
April 21, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Look at this motorway gantry sign: you can now answer two questions about our traffic rules:
- left hand traffic or right hand traffic?
- keep [left/right] unless passing, or pick any lane?
- left hand traffic or right hand traffic?
- keep [left/right] unless passing, or pick any lane?
New blog post, wherein we wonder if you can be both an urbanist and a parent. Is that possible, or do you have to choose?
(and yes, we’re stretching the definition of ‘suitable for kids’ quite a bit here)
wrongsideofmycar.blogspot.com/2025/04/city...
(and yes, we’re stretching the definition of ‘suitable for kids’ quite a bit here)
wrongsideofmycar.blogspot.com/2025/04/city...
April 21, 2025 at 3:03 AM
New blog post, wherein we wonder if you can be both an urbanist and a parent. Is that possible, or do you have to choose?
(and yes, we’re stretching the definition of ‘suitable for kids’ quite a bit here)
wrongsideofmycar.blogspot.com/2025/04/city...
(and yes, we’re stretching the definition of ‘suitable for kids’ quite a bit here)
wrongsideofmycar.blogspot.com/2025/04/city...
“21th day of railway strikes this year [in Belgium]”
It is April. That is on average more than one day per week.
www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/20...
It is April. That is on average more than one day per week.
www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/20...
21e stakingsdag van het jaar bij het spoor gestart: 7 op de 10 IC-treinen rijden
www.vrt.be
April 14, 2025 at 10:23 PM
“21th day of railway strikes this year [in Belgium]”
It is April. That is on average more than one day per week.
www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/20...
It is April. That is on average more than one day per week.
www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/20...
I think this video by @nerd4cities.bsky.social captures pretty well the vibes in Auckland… somewhere around 2017. We used to have a certain level of forward momentum. Better things to look forward to.
How times change.
How times change.
Always good to get a visitor’s view, especially from such a seasoned city-understander. @nerd4cities.bsky.social visits Tāmaki, and has views:
youtu.be/bqerH0hF2mA?...
youtu.be/bqerH0hF2mA?...
I Went to New Zealand, and I Have Thoughts
YouTube video by Ray Delahanty | CityNerd
youtu.be
April 10, 2025 at 3:50 AM
I think this video by @nerd4cities.bsky.social captures pretty well the vibes in Auckland… somewhere around 2017. We used to have a certain level of forward momentum. Better things to look forward to.
How times change.
How times change.
Opportunities in Auckland
April 3, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Opportunities in Auckland
Some say it is difficult to still expand our motorway network, but in reality we are leaving an entire foreshore on the table.
(now is the chance, the wider area is in such steep decline it is actually losing population)
(now is the chance, the wider area is in such steep decline it is actually losing population)
April 1, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Some say it is difficult to still expand our motorway network, but in reality we are leaving an entire foreshore on the table.
(now is the chance, the wider area is in such steep decline it is actually losing population)
(now is the chance, the wider area is in such steep decline it is actually losing population)
Is it just me or are we just hideously bad at traffic light phasing?
Case in point: what is the use of 60 second green phases for Victoria Street here? There's room for, what, 8 cars to queue between there and Queen Street? So, everyone else has to wait another 40 seconds to see nothing moving.
Case in point: what is the use of 60 second green phases for Victoria Street here? There's room for, what, 8 cars to queue between there and Queen Street? So, everyone else has to wait another 40 seconds to see nothing moving.
March 31, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Is it just me or are we just hideously bad at traffic light phasing?
Case in point: what is the use of 60 second green phases for Victoria Street here? There's room for, what, 8 cars to queue between there and Queen Street? So, everyone else has to wait another 40 seconds to see nothing moving.
Case in point: what is the use of 60 second green phases for Victoria Street here? There's room for, what, 8 cars to queue between there and Queen Street? So, everyone else has to wait another 40 seconds to see nothing moving.
The “Individuals data” from the 2023 census got released a while ago, and that always means it is time to render a bunch of maps again.
First: population. I kind of arbitrarily cropped to the area ranging from Papakura to Albany and Long Bay. Population here grew by almost 6% between 2028 and 2023.
First: population. I kind of arbitrarily cropped to the area ranging from Papakura to Albany and Long Bay. Population here grew by almost 6% between 2028 and 2023.
March 30, 2025 at 3:15 AM
The “Individuals data” from the 2023 census got released a while ago, and that always means it is time to render a bunch of maps again.
First: population. I kind of arbitrarily cropped to the area ranging from Papakura to Albany and Long Bay. Population here grew by almost 6% between 2028 and 2023.
First: population. I kind of arbitrarily cropped to the area ranging from Papakura to Albany and Long Bay. Population here grew by almost 6% between 2028 and 2023.
Planning officer: Does this development fit into the existing context?
MEANWHILE IN BELGIUM:
MEANWHILE IN BELGIUM:
March 26, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Planning officer: Does this development fit into the existing context?
MEANWHILE IN BELGIUM:
MEANWHILE IN BELGIUM:
So let’s say, I am spending $10,000 per year on a car. And then I’m not. But I still need to get to places.
OK, so now we’re regularly taking the bus. −$1,000 for me, and for the Significant Other. Kaching. Kaching.
OK, so now we’re regularly taking the bus. −$1,000 for me, and for the Significant Other. Kaching. Kaching.
March 26, 2025 at 12:26 AM
So let’s say, I am spending $10,000 per year on a car. And then I’m not. But I still need to get to places.
OK, so now we’re regularly taking the bus. −$1,000 for me, and for the Significant Other. Kaching. Kaching.
OK, so now we’re regularly taking the bus. −$1,000 for me, and for the Significant Other. Kaching. Kaching.
Libertarianism:
Expectation: respect personal freedom
Actually: respect personal freedom, but only for people who agree with the Chosen Ones.
Expectation: respect personal freedom
Actually: respect personal freedom, but only for people who agree with the Chosen Ones.
The Associate Education Minister, David Seymour, tells schools that there are no exemptions - basically the state will serve you inedible, under or over cooked food, fit only for pigs - and the children will eat it.
Massive overreach by ACT's leader here:
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3606...
Massive overreach by ACT's leader here:
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3606...
Seymour refuses to let Christchurch school ditch lunch provider
Haeata Community Campus has had “enough” of sub-par school lunch deliveries, but David Seymour says he won’t let it get out of the Government contract.
www.thepress.co.nz
March 18, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Libertarianism:
Expectation: respect personal freedom
Actually: respect personal freedom, but only for people who agree with the Chosen Ones.
Expectation: respect personal freedom
Actually: respect personal freedom, but only for people who agree with the Chosen Ones.
That is the 200m or so dead end here:
You just know the kind of circus you get if dozens of people try to drive there at once.
Another thing schools should do is encourage people to pick up their kids a few minutes after bell time instead of all stampeding at 3pm sharp. Or FFS at least ALLOW it.
You just know the kind of circus you get if dozens of people try to drive there at once.
Another thing schools should do is encourage people to pick up their kids a few minutes after bell time instead of all stampeding at 3pm sharp. Or FFS at least ALLOW it.
March 12, 2025 at 11:06 AM
That is the 200m or so dead end here:
You just know the kind of circus you get if dozens of people try to drive there at once.
Another thing schools should do is encourage people to pick up their kids a few minutes after bell time instead of all stampeding at 3pm sharp. Or FFS at least ALLOW it.
You just know the kind of circus you get if dozens of people try to drive there at once.
Another thing schools should do is encourage people to pick up their kids a few minutes after bell time instead of all stampeding at 3pm sharp. Or FFS at least ALLOW it.
New Auckland convention centre build.
Instead of just tearing down this old building, we kept the outer wall standing. Because, heritage protection.
So. If we like these kind of building facades in cities, why are we no longer able to build them? We're still building plenty of 3 storey buildings.
Instead of just tearing down this old building, we kept the outer wall standing. Because, heritage protection.
So. If we like these kind of building facades in cities, why are we no longer able to build them? We're still building plenty of 3 storey buildings.
March 12, 2025 at 3:19 AM
New Auckland convention centre build.
Instead of just tearing down this old building, we kept the outer wall standing. Because, heritage protection.
So. If we like these kind of building facades in cities, why are we no longer able to build them? We're still building plenty of 3 storey buildings.
Instead of just tearing down this old building, we kept the outer wall standing. Because, heritage protection.
So. If we like these kind of building facades in cities, why are we no longer able to build them? We're still building plenty of 3 storey buildings.
One experience available on our public transport network is a tiki tour around Smales Farm.
This view is just over a kilometre wide. The 856 timetable provides 9 minutes to get through.
This view is just over a kilometre wide. The 856 timetable provides 9 minutes to get through.
March 9, 2025 at 9:51 PM
One experience available on our public transport network is a tiki tour around Smales Farm.
This view is just over a kilometre wide. The 856 timetable provides 9 minutes to get through.
This view is just over a kilometre wide. The 856 timetable provides 9 minutes to get through.
Wondering if a traffic engineer can cobble together a roundabout with some temporary barriers and the existing traffic islands at Verrans Corner.
February 27, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Wondering if a traffic engineer can cobble together a roundabout with some temporary barriers and the existing traffic islands at Verrans Corner.
This is true, and overseas this is simply called “road works”.
It is common to see works to rip up an old worn out road deck, then to see big diggers and sewer pipes, and then see an improved design getting rebuilt.
It is common to see works to rip up an old worn out road deck, then to see big diggers and sewer pipes, and then see an improved design getting rebuilt.
People often think cycleway projects cost a lot & take forever, but what they don't realise is that planners often take the opportunity of a cycleway build to do additional things like improving sewers, rainwater, footpaths, curbs and other infrastructure updates that need doing on the street/road.
If anyone tells you a cycleway is “gold-plated” and it doesn’t look as amazing as Quay St then tell them they’re dreaming. Most Auckland cycling infra isn’t even concrete plated, it’s paint plated.
February 27, 2025 at 8:47 PM
This is true, and overseas this is simply called “road works”.
It is common to see works to rip up an old worn out road deck, then to see big diggers and sewer pipes, and then see an improved design getting rebuilt.
It is common to see works to rip up an old worn out road deck, then to see big diggers and sewer pipes, and then see an improved design getting rebuilt.
Wait did Thomas Pueyo just write that San Fransisco is permitting 150 units per year? Damn.
February 16, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Wait did Thomas Pueyo just write that San Fransisco is permitting 150 units per year? Damn.
People often think of public transport reliability in terms of buses / trains showing up or not. Or, showing up within X minutes of the advertised time.
And while this affects reliability, there is a much more common source of unreliability. The time table itself. More specifically, headways.
And while this affects reliability, there is a much more common source of unreliability. The time table itself. More specifically, headways.
February 14, 2025 at 2:29 AM
People often think of public transport reliability in terms of buses / trains showing up or not. Or, showing up within X minutes of the advertised time.
And while this affects reliability, there is a much more common source of unreliability. The time table itself. More specifically, headways.
And while this affects reliability, there is a much more common source of unreliability. The time table itself. More specifically, headways.
If you're looking for possible reasons why our fertility rate is cratering, it is quite instructive to follow the discussion around school lunches in New Zealand.
“Hey do you want kids? It is great! And oh congratulations you're now also an outgroup.”
“Hey do you want kids? It is great! And oh congratulations you're now also an outgroup.”
It is clear from many comments on social media that there remains a deep misunderstanding and/or ignorance of the realities facing New Zealand families today:
open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
February 13, 2025 at 9:23 AM
If you're looking for possible reasons why our fertility rate is cratering, it is quite instructive to follow the discussion around school lunches in New Zealand.
“Hey do you want kids? It is great! And oh congratulations you're now also an outgroup.”
“Hey do you want kids? It is great! And oh congratulations you're now also an outgroup.”