Hastings Urban Design Strategy Kicks Off Tonight

Hastings District Council is starting its public consultation tonight on what residents want the CBD’s of Hastings, Flaxmere and Havelock North to look like in future.

Consultation has already occurred on plans for Flaxmere and Havelock North and the Hastings Urban Design Strategy will focus on the Hastings CBD and how the three centres relate to each other.

A public meeting to gather opinions on issues ranging from transport, service infrastructure, open space, built form, the economy, environmental issues, social needs, recreation, culture and heritage starts at the Assembly Hall Ballroom at Hawke’s Bay Opera House at 7pm.

The process will assist the council to identify the best location for the open space funded from the proceeds from the sale of Nelson Park.

Another issue the process aims to assist is to identify where the most sustainable opportunities are for denser housing types within Hastings, Havelock North and Flaxmere.

Chief executive Ross McLeod says Australasia’s leading Urban Design and Town Centre experts, Urbanismplus, headed by international acclaimed urban designer Kobus Mentz, will facilitate public meetings and technical workshops and provide advice on how the city’s centres should develop.

“This meeting is a unique opportunity to be involved with leading urban design professionals in shaping the future of Hastings,” Mr McLeod says.

A second public meeting on October 6, at Hawke’s Bay Opera House, will report back on Urbansimplus’ findings and proposed recommendations for feedback.