Frith Walker is Manager of Placemaking in the Auckland Urban Development Office. Frith has had an unparalleled impact on placemaking in Auckland. She’s been at the forefront of ensuring community-centric urban regeneration since Auckland came under single governance in 2010. Frith’s role has ensured urban design is soundly based on local culture, knowledge and preferences. The great success of Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter is just one testimony to Frith’s professional capability. She also leads programmes to keep precincts vibrant during the regeneration period. Her experience is sought after nationally and globally. In 2021, Frith was awarded the prestigious Place Leaders Asia Pacific – Place Leadership Award.

(0:00) Intro
(2:01) What is placemaking?
(4:24) What can we take away from Wynyard Quarter?
(6:37) Is it important to maintain a places’ identity when placemaking?
(8:51) Frith’s response to Ethan Kent’s praise of Auckland
(10:19) What does “do, learn, do” mean in placemaking?
(12:33) What could we have done better in Wynyard Quarter?
(14:21) Frith’s reaction to Graham Tipene’s Waka Moana art installation
(15:37) How essential is art in the public space?
(18:34) Placemaking in a multi-cultural city
(20:57) How do we include immigrant communities in placemaking?
(24:18) How important is it to consider children in placemaking?
(27:06) The role of the public space in urban regeneration
(30:22) How do you make sure partner organisations play their role in placemaking?
(33:01) What is going to be the AUDO’s role in reshaping Drury?
(34:43) How are we going to work with several stakeholders in Drury?
(36:09) Outro