The reconstruction of community in Talbot Park, Auckland
A. An architecture of disguise is almost complete at Talbot Park in the heart of Auckland‘s Glen Innes. The place was once described as a state housing ghetto, rife with crime, vandalism and other social problems. But today after a $48 million urban renewal makeover, the site is home to 700 residents – 200 more than before – and has people regularly inquiring whether they can buy or rent there. “It doesn‘t look like social housing.” Housing New Zealand housing services manager Dene Busby says of the tidy brick and weatherboard apartments and townhouses which would look just as much at home in “there is no reason why public housing should look cheap in my view,” says Design Group architect Neil of the eight three-bedroom terrace houses his firm designed.
B. Talbot Park is a triangle of government-owned land bounded by Apirana Ave, Pilkington Rd and Point England Rd. In the early 1960s it was developed for state housing built around a linear park that ran through the middle. Initially, there was a strong sense of family-friendly community. Former residents recall how the Talbot Park reserve played a big part in their childhoods – a place where the kids in the block came together to play softball, cricket, tiggy, leapfrog and bullrush. Sometimes they‘d play “Maoris against Pakehas” but without any animosity. “It was all just good, Georgie Thompson in Ben Schrader‘s. We Call it Home: A History of State Housing in New Zealand. “We had respect for our neighbors addressed them by title Mr. and Mrs. so-and-so,” she recalls.
C. Quite what went wrong with Talbot Park is not clear. We call it Home Records that the community began to change in the late 1970s as more Pacific Islanders and Europeans moved in. The new arrivals didn‘t readily integrate with the community, a “them and us” mentality developed, and residents interacted with their neighbors less. What was clear was the buildings were deteriorating and becoming dilapidated, petty crime was on the rise and the reserve – focus of fond childhood memories – had become a wasteland and was considered unsafe.
D. But it wasn‘t until 2002 that Housing New Zealand decided the properties needed upgrading. The master renewal plan didn‘t take advantage of the maximum accommodation density allowable (one unit per 100 sq meters) but did increase density to one unit per 180 sq m by refurbishing all 108 star flat units, removing the multis and building 111 new home. The Talbot strategy can be summed up as mix, match and manage. Mix up the housing with variety plans from a mix of architects, match house styles to what‘s built by the private sector, match tenants to the mix, and manage their occupancy. Inevitably cost comes into the equation. “If you‘re going to build low cost homes, you‘ve got to keep them simple and you can‘t afford a fancy bit on them.” says Michael Thompson of Architectus which designed the innovative three-level Atrium apartments lining two sides of a covered courtyard. At $300,000 per two bedroom unit, the building is more expensive but provides for independent disabled accommodation as well as offering solar hot water heating and rainwater collection for toilet cisterns and outside taps.
E. The renewal project budget at $1.5 million which will provide park pathways, planting, playgrounds, drinking fountains, seating, skateboard rails, a halfsize basketball hard court, and a pavilion. But if there was any doubt this is a low socio-economic area, the demographics for the surrounding Tamaki area are sobering. Of the 5000 households there, 55 per cent are state houses, 28 per cent privately owned (compared to about 65 per cent nationally) and 17 per cent are private rental. The area has a high concentration of households with incomes in the $5000 to $15,000 range and very few with an income over $70,000. That‘s in sharp contrast to the more affluent suburbs like Kohimarama and St John‘s that surround the area.
F. “The design is for people with different culture background,” says architect James Lunday of Common Ground which designed the 21 large family homes. “Architecturally we decided to be relatively conservative – nice house in its own garden with a bit of space and good indoor outdoor flow.” There‘s a slight reflection of the whale and a Pacific fale, but not overplayed “The private sector is way behind in urban design and sustainable futures,” says Bracey. “Redesigning streets and parks is a big deal and very difficult to do. The private sector won‘t do it, because it‘s so hard.”
G. There‘s no doubt good urban design and good architecture play a significant part in the scheme. But probably more important is a new standard of social control. Housing New Zealand calls it “intensive tenancy management” Others view it as social engineering. “It‘s a model that we are looking at going forward,” according to Housing New Zealand‘s central Auckland regional manager Graham Bodman. “The focus is on frequent inspections, helping tenants to get to know each other and trying to create an environment of respect for neighbors,” says Bodman. That includes some strict rules – no loud parties after 10 pm, no dogs, no cats in the apartments, no washing hung over balcony rails and a requirement to mow lawns and keep the property tidy. Housing New Zealand has also been active in organizing morning teas and street barbecues for residents to meet their neighbors. “It‘s all based on the intensification,” says Community Renewal project manager Stuart Bracey. “We acknowledge if you are going to put more people living closer together, you have to actually help them to live closer together because it creates tension – especially for people that aren‘t used to it.”
Questions
Questions 14 – 20
Reading Passage has seven paragraphs, A – G. Choose the correct beading for paragraphs, A – G, from the list below. Write the correct number, i – xi, in boxes 14 – 20 on your answer sheet.
List of Headings
i. Financial hardship of community
ii. A good tendency of strengthening the supervision
iii. Details of plans for the community‘s makeover and upgrade
iv. Architecture suits families of various ethnic origins
v. Problems arise then the mentality of alienation developed later
vi. Introduction of a social housing community with unexpected high standard
vii. A practical design and need assist and cooperate in future
viii. Closer relationship among neighbors in original site
ix. Different need from a makeup of a low financial background should be considered
x. How to make the community feel safe
xi. A plan with details for house structure
14. Paragraph A
15. Paragraph B
16. Paragraph C
17. Paragraph D
18. Paragraph E
19. Paragraph F
20. Paragraph G
Questions 21 – 23
Use the information in the passage to match the people (listed A – E) with opinions or deeds below. Write the appropriate letters, A – E, in boxes 21 – 23 on your answer sheet.
List of people
A. Michael Thompson
B. Graham Bodman
C. Stuart Bracey
D. James Lunday
E. Dene Busby
21. Design should meet the need of mix-raced cultural background.
22. For better living environment, regulations and social control should be imperative.
23. Organizing more community‘s activities helps strengthening relationship in community.
Questions 24 – 27
Complete the following summary of the paragraphs of Reading Passage. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 24 – 27 on your answer sheet.
In the year 2002，the Talbot decided to raise housing standard, yet the plan was build homes go much beyond the accommodation limit and people complain about the high living 24 ___________ And as the variety plans were complemented under the designs of many 25 ___________ together, made house styles go with the part designed by individuals, matched tenants from different culture. As for the finance, reconstruction program‘s major concern is to build a house within low 26 ___________; Finally, just as expert predicted residents will agree on building a relatively conventional house in its own 27 ___________, which provides considerable space to move around.
