I’ve heard a bit about permanently pedestrianizing Wellington City over the last few weeks. My first thought was: that seems to be an interesting take on my carless day idea, which I proposed here many months ago. My second thought was: weren’t these people around last month?
   This was an October which was the coldest on record for some 60 years. The winter just passed was hardly a delight. It was cold, while the winter of 2008 was particularly wet.
   If the idea of pedestrianization had been brought up during these periods, I wonder if the reception would be quite as pleasant.
   The thought of being blown about outdoors in the middle of winter while trying to enjoy a coffee hardly appeals to Wellingtonians.
   I don’t think an overkill in the number of pedestrian areas shows off Wellington at its best.
   The proponents of permanent pedestrian areas around Wellington all talk at us about how lovely it would be with all the seats outside with our wonderful cafés. And yes, it would be rather lovely.
   Wellington must have a unique solution, even if the idea has its inspiration from overseas.
   Don’t get me wrong: I’m all for pedestrianizing parts of Wellington. I love the idea that we can walk around our city and enjoy it. I accept that there are places which can be permanently pedestrianized.
   Wellington is unbeatable on a great day, and those great days happen most during the summer—which is precisely why the carless day idea is the ideal means through which to trial pedestrianization.
   Let’s be sensible about it, and take it one step at a time. Let’s also consider keeping public transport flowing through some of these areas which, incidentally, many European cities such as Stockholm have done.
   If the first carless summer day in January 2011 under my mayoralty is successful, we can extend them through longer periods, say, during the Rugby World Cup in September–October 2011. But to go the whole hog without even suggesting a trial is a gamble, and Wellingtonians shouldn’t be betting on mayors and councils who gamble.
   Let’s get feedback from not just property owners but from the rest of us, rather than put such an issue before voters and demand they go one way or the other.
   The 2010 mayoral election is not about ‘Vote for me’ or even ‘Vote for this’. It is about ‘Vote for us,’ as technology, such as blogs like this, puts the power back in the hands of everyday Wellingtonians. We are the ones who decide our fate, not groups of élites or individuals.
   As always, I’m here to listen, because the last I looked, this is our city, where we all deserve a say. Your feedback is welcome, either below, via Twitter, via Facebook, or my personal website.

2011 · Business · carless day · Europe · future · Infrastructure · Jack Yan · mayor · pedestrian mall · pedestrianization · Rugby World Cup · transport · Wellington · Whanganui-a-Tara

It has totally surprised me, when chatting to former mayor James Belich, that Wellington is not sister cities with San Francisco. In fact, we lost this connection in the 1980s. The benefits are obvious: not only are the two cities similar in terms of culture, politics and topography (let’s count the fault lines going through the city!), but the technological and special effects’ sectors are strong in both San Francisco and Wellington.
   This means we can each benefit from the other: Wellingtonians from access to the market, San Franciscans from access to the independent, innovative thinking than goes on down here. I accept there is a population difference, but I cannot see down sides with connecting the two cities with more exchanges, and letting companies reap the rewards. San Franciscans and Wellingtonians think alike in many ways, too, which says to me that there is room for alliances, JVs and remote working. We grow the sectors in both cities, and we cement Wellington’s reputation as the leading creative city in the nation.
   To this end, late last month I wrote to Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco to see if he would put this matter before his council. Some of you who have followed my writings and work over the years know that I have known the Mayoress, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, for some time, and I think it is worth using our connection to reach her husband. It is worth re-establishing this connection with a city that most Kiwis regard as the “most Wellington” in North America; equally, more than a few Americans regard Wellington as “the San Francisco of the south”. At the very, very least, we should establish a dialogue with the City.
   I am also surprised this very logical step has not been taken over the years by our Council. I realize there have been other priorities in line with the thinking of an older generation, and there have been other sister-city relationships that Wellington has, rightly, pursued. However, San Francisco is such a no-brainer, and the potential connections and benefits so obvious, that it should be done.

alliances · Aotearoa · Business · business exchanges · California · Gavin Newsom · high-tech · Jack Yan · Jennifer Siebel · joint ventures · New Zealand · Politics · San Francisco · sister cities · special effects · tech sector · technology · USA · Wellington · Wellington City Council · Whanganui-a-Tara

Older Wellingtonians will remember when there were many head offices in the capital. Now many are in Auckland. However, filling the void are high-tech businesses, spurred in part by the growth of the film industry, and by the internet.
   It’s a good thing to have this growth sector in the capital, but can we do more to help them, especially entrepreneurs who want to set up business here? Is this something the city should be involved in actively assisting, especially as it’s ultimately beneficial to have a vibrant business community—real and virtual?

animation · Business · commerce · entrepreneur · entrepreneurship · high-tech · internet · multimedia · tech sector · Twitter · web development · Wellington · Whanganui-a-Tara

I have lived in Wellington for more of my years than any other place. I first arrived in 1976, and have been proud to call it my home. I did virtually all my schooling here, from primary to uni.
   When I started my business in 1987, I have watched companies here go through good and bad times. But in business you can only do so much. More recently, I became interested in seeing what we could do to make and sustain positive change for our city.
   Wellington is already a great city. We have a great cultural core, and a population that cares as much about the meaning in their lives as the quality. But there are a few problems, such as our population growth lagging behind Auckland and Christchurch. And what can we do to encourage and grow business here, without losing our essence?
   Can we grow while being sustainable? What safety issues are there for families living here, and can we make it more accommodating for them? How about our roading and traffic? What about our sporting and recreational venues?
   I set up this blog to find ways we can all explore that. I firmly believe if others around us benefit, we each will, too. I want to hear from you, either through my personal site’s feedback form, or here in the comments, on topics we need to address. We’ve kicked off with a few, and we’ll announce this site with a bit more hoop-la toward the end of 2009.

Aotearoa · arts · Business · commerce · culture · ethics · Family · growth · immigration · Jack Yan · New Zealand · opinion · Politics · prosperity · safety · Security · sports · Wellington · Whanganui-a-Tara