tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post3543660800104355683..comments2024-03-29T17:12:19.648+13:00Comments on Bowalley Road: Massive FailuresChris Trotterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-10132056266977489182011-09-06T21:00:23.202+12:002011-09-06T21:00:23.202+12:00I see the the anti planning (means no rules) meme ...I see the the anti planning (means no rules) meme is going viral in Constables Britain. The public are behind the state of play here.<br />http://www.monbiot.com/2011/09/05/terra-nullius/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-14727791083198524332011-08-31T07:54:58.203+12:002011-08-31T07:54:58.203+12:00Why is it that when disaster strikes, be it econom...Why is it that when disaster strikes, be it economic or geophysical, we always have to bail out the big boys? Insurance companies, banks, corporations. Because they are 'too big to let them fail'? Perhaps that in itself is a problem. These entities which are supposed to be the font of all blessing, jobs and wealth for all, are unable even to bless themselves. Let the government and the earthquake commission help Cantabrians, but let not that relieve insurance companies of their due. Times like these are why we are enslaved to them by tribute our whole lives long. It is for these days they are born. And those who most embrace 'the market' seem most willing to rush in and ameliorate its excesses. Like the insurance companies who sold it too cheap, trumping the market, without the backup to make good their pledge. The free market is painted as some great evolutionary process, a survival of the fittest, like nature giving rise to efficient and beautiful forms. But these market entities appear far from sound. Nature also is full of tragedy. Daily its beautiful creatures tear each other limb from limb, and when disaster strikes, the water hole dries, the plain is littered with skeletons. That is not how we would wish our society. Perhaps we should 'cut out the middleman', let government direct wealth to the people, and let insurance companies and the like stand or fall on their own clay feet.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16219657564984291522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-12060429101212641382011-08-30T23:17:17.398+12:002011-08-30T23:17:17.398+12:00Chris, I can understand why Parker looks effective...Chris, I can understand why Parker looks effective from afar and why Share an Idea looks inspiring, but Parker is all about appearances. He knows how things look on camera and in the papers.<br /><br />What came out of Share an Idea was, however good, entirely predictable. It was not real consultation, just the appearance of it. The people who turned up at CBS Arena were almost entirely white and middle class (not a Waitakere/Linwood man in sight, even).<br /><br />Word has it that the government is increasingly frustrated with Parker and his mate the CEO, for their abuse of the democratic process and their mutual ineptitude. There's a strong rumour they were summoned up to Wellington for a bollocking a couple of weeks ago.<br /><br />If what came out of Share an Idea is what we get, then I will (anonymously) eat my hat. With Brownlee and the government already working to dampen expectations, and their unwillingness to spend money helping people except the very rich, I am not very optimistic.<br /><br />The only real hope is a change in government, but I doubt very much that will happen until 2014, but by then Christchurch will have suffered an even worse man-made disaster - with by-then Sir Robert Parker still looking good from afar, but from afar only.Philoffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-11599214314432064332011-08-30T18:17:48.729+12:002011-08-30T18:17:48.729+12:00Ha! Bob parker is on the pig's back. No-one el...Ha! Bob parker is on the pig's back. No-one else will be electable in Christcurch till he pops his clogs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-57675637401969291242011-08-30T16:28:59.745+12:002011-08-30T16:28:59.745+12:00As a resident of Christchurch (though not one who ...As a resident of Christchurch (though not one who has to cope with the worst of it), I feel slightly more kindly disposed to CERA, etc, than you seem to. Maybe it's because as a resident of Christchurch I see almost every day the realities of dealing with an overwhelmingly messy situation. And so I really can't bring myself to get all anti-National on this one, although it's tempting.<br /><br />As for Bob Parker, etc., certainly he puts a glossiness on the situation... which I am inclined to distrust.Alliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-19350135073739403802011-08-30T15:36:36.017+12:002011-08-30T15:36:36.017+12:00Meh.
Since New Zealanders have spent the last 30 ...Meh.<br /><br />Since New Zealanders have spent the last 30 years or so voting for governments that have denigrated government intervention, it is no surprise that when government intervention is needed, the capacity for effective intervention is much lessened.<br /><br />We have only ourselves to blame.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-30000965558130448872011-08-30T11:10:29.122+12:002011-08-30T11:10:29.122+12:00Given the overwhelming desire for a human scale re...Given the overwhelming desire for a human scale rebuild in the CBD why is Sir Richard Lease saying:<br />"Questioned about the proposed seven-storey CBD height limit, Leese said in Manchester they had no height restrictions, opting to assess each project on its merits.<br /><br />"Plans ought to open up opportunities rather than close down opportunities," <br /><br />and<br /><br />"Christchurch needed bold architecture that would polarise residents.<br /><br />"They're Marmite buildings: you either love them or hate them, and I think Marmite buildings are good for a city."<br /><br />Leese was among many politicians, city planners and architectural experts who shared their experiences as part of the consultation process for the draft central-city plan. "<br /><br />CORE submission:<br />"Owners warn against height limits on buildings which will suppress land values. The height of buildings should be limited by the business case for them and funding. Taller buildings require larger budgets which can provide better engineering solutions and outcomes. It’s not about height but about quality engineering; look at San Francisco, Kobe etc."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com