Living in Auckland city, the chosen one for Rugby World Cup 2011, the excitement leading up to the big event is FAST building up!! As I pass by the upgraded (still in progress) Eden Park stadium on my way to University every day, I have been observing for months on end, ever since the new development has started to take place. Because my bus route runs along Sandringham Road straight through Eden Park, my eyes are always on what’s new with the stadium!
What the complete stadium area will look like: Archihot 2010.
Here are my negative views on the eyes of the WORLD being upon Eden Park during the RWC 2011. The stadium actually sits in a residential area for starters and not an overly charming one either. Therefore, the work that needed to go into making the area look great for the cameras has been intense. Local shops that run along Sandringham Road for example have all experienced facelifts, in comparison to the rundown store facades they once were, however I would have thought that there would have been an upgrade in the local commercial area? It is going to be an international event! And all that people get to experience is the local dairy, a corner side local café, a petrol station, and a newly built, boring grey apartment building across the stadium that looks like a desperate attempt to increase density in the zone.
Houses that run along the road and the actual road itself has been upgraded and repainted, and a positive development includes a signal set and crossing that has been put in just up from the stadium, next to Kowhai Intermediate, for pedestrian safety and crossing over to the refurbished Kingsland Train Station during the games. This is one asset of the area. Fans can travel with ease to the west side and central city of Auckland, due to local bus stops and the train station being located right outside the stadium.
Upgraded Kingsland Station : Daylife 2011
The new stadium design looks great!, however somewhat incomplete as one side looks fairly modern while the other looks as though they forgot to upgrade it. But locals are learning to get used to this. As I drove around the stadium one day I saw the other side of the entrance with sectioned areas, which looks amazing an up to world class standard, however the side that faces the main road on Sandringham looks like it is still under development. I am hoping that something will be done about this!
Sectioned Stadium Entries: Architecture View 2011.
I have seen this stadium truly evolve and the job done so far is to be commended. The planting that has gone into the development for visual aesthetics is inviting and there are even provisions put in place for additional bus services. There are also forms of public art on the opposite side of the stadium and a road that has been changed into a pedestrian only area with light posts, to accommodate the foot traffic that the games will bring.
Visual Aesthetics: Eden Park 2011.
The large green and white patched area in front of the stadium along Sandringham road however, leaves me slightly confused as to why those colours and that design was chosen to cover a large kerbside corner. It is not particularly attractive but will have to do. The RWC 2011 will surely bring excellent opportunities and has already seen many positive changes in Auckland City!
Stadium Design: Skyscraper City 2000-2011
What are your thoughts on the Rugby World Cup 2011 upgrades to parts of Auckland City?? Leave your comments below!
References:
- http://archihot.com/?attachment_id=21
- http://www.daylife.com/topic/0gsw4JGgKb06k
- http://www.architecture-view.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/eden-park-stadium-entry-gate.jpg
- http://www.edenparkresidents.org.nz/uploads/C2D59_reimersview.jpg
- http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=826116&page=4
