Living Streets Aotearoa
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Living Streets Aotearoa
@livingstreetsnz.bsky.social
Living Streets Aotearoa, New Zealand's national pedestrian advocacy organisation. We promote walk-friendly communities. www.livingstreets.org.nz
Living Streets Aotearoa believes that "walkable"must be inclusive of "wheelable", and that engaging with and learning from people with disabilities should be central to pedestrian design.

#IDPD2025 #InternationalDayofPersonswithDisabilities
December 2, 2025 at 10:14 PM
This example is so famous that the "Curb-Cut Effect" is the name for the wider concept that designing, creating, and implementing features and strategies for people with disabilities can benefit a larger group of people.
The curb-cut effect
The curb-cut effect illustrates how when we design to benefit disadvantaged or vulnerable groups we end up helping society as a whole. Angela Glover Blackwell explains how campaigning by students with...
sketchplanations.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:14 PM
A great example of this are curb cuts, which are small ramps that were added to footpaths to improve wheelchair users' mobility. But curb cuts also made footpaths more accessible for people pushing prams, people using suitcases, and people pushing trolleys.

Image credit: Sketchplantations
December 2, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Future improvements in the area include widening the footpath, improving lighting and kerb ramps, and replacing the existing speed hump with a raised pedestrian crossing.
December 2, 2025 at 2:03 AM
"The upgrades are already making a difference, making it safer and easier for people to move around – especially for children, older residents, and those with mobility needs.
December 2, 2025 at 2:03 AM
The upgrade also includes "a smoother pathway, fence repairs, and new lighting. A pedestrian connection has also been created next to the bus hub, linking Farm Street to Bayfair Shopping Centre."
December 2, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Living Streets Aotearoa shares the group's concerns, especially because drivers going over the speed limit put pedestrians at greater risk. We support this action and encourage local members to get involved.
November 30, 2025 at 10:09 PM
A recent fatal crash in the area further highlights this issue. The group would like to work with Waka Kotahi to improve safety.

Drayton says: "We’ve got the community, well, we’re pretty confident we’ve got the community behind us anyway. But we can do that and then have a chat with Waka Kotahi.”
November 30, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Michael Drayton from the Ōhaeawai Taumai Residents Association said: "traffic often travels well above the 60km/h as it passes through the intersection of State Highway 1 and 12, an area with some shops, petrol stations and the turnoff to the school."
November 30, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Read the full piece at our website!
Julie Woods's Walking Journey | Living Streets Aotearoa Inc
www.livingstreets.org.nz
November 27, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Dunedin has made many changes to its main street and to be honest I am afraid to go down to the middle of town as it’s all new and foreign. Collaborating with Blind Low Vision NZ to ensure all members are familiar with new layouts would make us feel like we can own the changes."
November 27, 2025 at 11:47 PM
For example: "Q: What are your suggestions for Dunedin Council and other Councils to prioritise in the footpath and public open space?"

"A: Communicating changes to roading and design is critical...
November 27, 2025 at 11:47 PM
At the Summit, she talked about her walking journey which eventually led her to walking every street in Dunedin! The blog summarises Julie's Summit presentation, and there is also a Q&A with Julie at the end with some of the questions asked at the Summit.
November 27, 2025 at 11:47 PM
The good news is we can and are making changes to improve walkability "including a car-free street trial near a Wellington school, safety improvements and a new community space at an intersection in Hamilton, and advocates who fought to retain a safer speed limit in their community near Nelson."
November 26, 2025 at 10:01 PM
"The lack of funding has worsened the existing situation that streets, public places, and transport policies are designed with cars in mind first, making it faster and more convenient to hop in the car as a default."
November 26, 2025 at 10:01 PM
According to recent research from NZTA, "82% of people walked for transport at least once a week, a significant increase from the 64% who did so in 2023."

While this trend is great news, the investment in walking and pedestrian infrastructure has not kept up.
November 26, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Walking is a key sustainable mode of transport and often is a link to other sustainable modes like public transport. We need to be investing more in walking not only for the sustainability of our transport system, but also for the health, safety, and wellbeing of our communities.

#TransportDay
World Sustainable Transport Day | United Nations
World Sustainable Transport Day was declared to recognize the important role of safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all in supporting sustainable economic growth, improv...
www.un.org
November 26, 2025 at 12:42 AM