Article cafe on corner of Drews Ave and Rutland Ave. Photo:
Dr Emma Bugden Photo: Supplied
Ellen Young Photo: Supplied
The central arts and historic precinct of Drews Avenue in Whanganui has been rejuvenated in recent years. In 2020, the council received funding from Waka Kotahi NZTA as part of the ‘Streets for People’ initiative; to transform Drews Avenue.
The goal was to reimagine the space, make the streets more vibrant, welcoming and sustainable and responsive to climate change. Working with the community for feedback, business owners, iwi representatives and designers, a new concept for what Drews Ave could be, began. Dr Emma Bugden is the Strategic Lead Creatives Industries and Arts at Whanganui and Partners. She brought in Ellen Young, now managing director of Paper Road, who at the time was a project manager at the Whanganui District Council.
Today, the area is a pedestrian friendly hub with outdoor seating, greenery and serves as a centre where arts, hospitality and creativity meet. A large road mural has been painted at the intersection of Drews Avenue and Rutland Street, lightboxes which showcase UCOL student art, a retro telephone, bike racks, water fountain and the removal of 22 car parks. It’s been transformed into a place for people to gather and meet, not just inside the venues, but outside too.
For this UNESCO city of design, Drews Ave is just one example of thinking outside the box and designing a space with the community in mind - beyond just traffic. ‘Streets for People’ has continued throughout the city transforming nearby streets including Guyton Street and Lower St Hill Street.
Dr Emma Bugden and Ellen Young join Perlina Lau of Culture 101 about the rejuvenation of Drews Ave and contemporary spaces in the city.
Drews Ave - Whanganui Photo: Supplied
