Australasian Coasts & Ports 2021 Conference, Christchurch
In June 2017 Emirates Team New Zealand defeated Oracle Team USA, seizing the opportunity to host the 36th America’s Cup on the Waitematā Harbour in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Auckland last hosted this international sporting event in 2003. Continued urban regeneration along Auckland’s waterfront meant that the previous event infrastructure had since been redeveloped for other uses.Show more…
The lack of space to host the event was a serious test for the City. Together with central Government, Auckland Council recognized the significant potential economic, social and reputational benefits of the Cup to Auckland and New Zealand – the opportunity to adapt a waterfront brownfield site at pace, helping a flagship event and the City to thrive. Delivery of the complex, highly visible project with an immovable deadline, called for a proactive and collaborative approach. The Wynyard Edge Alliance was formed by Auckland Council and central Government in July 2018 to design and construct the infrastructure.
This case study examines how, by coming together around a collective goal of “creating a stage for the America’s Cup and a waterfront destination that Kiwis and visitors love”, the Wynyard Edge Alliance, and its participants, overcame challenges relating to land availability, water space and funding constraints to deliver the infrastructure required to host the event in time for the syndicates arrival. It particularly focuses on:
• how the split between temporary and permanent infrastructure was used to maximise legacy value within funding constraints.
• the design issues faced in terms of design life, durability and contamination.
• accommodating the wide-ranging needs of superyachts, international race syndicates and vibrant public
spaces.
• the solutions found to accommodate sea level rise for new infrastructure and address resilience challenges
for 100-year-old wharves and reclamation
• repairs to repurpose and extend the useful life of the 100-year-old Wynyard Wharf
Keywords: America’s Cup, temporary infrastructure, marine structures, repurposing and reuse, brownfield.Show less…
