Urban design vision for the creation of a health precinct in Dunedin’s city centre.

The University of Otago Health Precinct is an ambitious urban design and landscape vision of creating a new precinct in Dunedin’s City Centre. Complementing the plans for the new Dunedin hospital, the health precinct extends from the site of the new hospital through to the current main University of Otago campus.

Expanding through 9 city blocks, the vision looks to connect existing university facilities with proposed new state-off-the-art medical research buildings and the new Dunedin hospital. Movement throughout the existing campus and new proposed precinct was at the forefront of the design. Multi-modal transport links were developed within the space to strengthen and future proof connections across the city. The improved physical links between the existing university campus and new hospital site provides a series of healthy outdoor spaces bought together with streetscape planting and shared pedestrian / cycle paths.

Location

Otago

Project date

2020

The creation of two new open spaces within the precinct will service the health precinct and the wider city on the whole. The vision for a large public plaza at the heart of the precinct provides a multi-purpose civic space for city wide events to be held and the creation of much needed open space to the north of the central business district. The plaza is centred on the historic Lindo Ferguson building, providing an opportunity for the rich culture of the site to be bought forward, shared and protected for future generations.

The vision includes new connections to George Street and beyond through a series of vibrant laneways and intimate courtyard spaces. With the intention of complimenting and extending the existing hospitality and retail offerings on George Street, the increase in people moving about the precinct provides many future opportunities that add vibrance to the precinct.

The vision was achieved through an extensive engagement process involving key stakeholders for the project. A series of workshops and meeting with the stakeholders ensured their feedback was captured and considered throughout the design process. Mana whenua were a significantly influential partner of the project, brining forward the rich history of the site and wider landscape to be carefully integrated within the vision.