The Octagon is an important part of the Dunedin city centre and the council wanted to gain a general understanding of how the Octagon could function and connect with the George St development within the wider transport network.
The city has experienced a 50% increase in cruise ships visiting, with the Octagon being a key location passengers visit by bus. This has increased pressure on the surrounding network and reduced the amenity of the area. The Council therefore decided to utilise the events over the summer to test out possible changes that could be made to the Octagon to make it more people friendly.
The pedestrianisation trial of the Octagon and surrounding streets, known as the Octagon Experience, ran over summer 2020. Stage 1 launched on 27 January, with 75% of the Octagon and surrounding streets closed to traffic. In Stage 2, which launched on 17 February, traffic was able to enter some parts of the street network for access only.
The space created by the closure was filled with public amenities such as temporary seating, table tennis tables, planters and food trucks. During the trial the city hosted the Otago Community Trust NZ Masters Games, the Elton John and Queen concerts, the annual Thieves’ Alley Market Day and the Otago Southland Pipe Band Competition.
The trial is still ongoing in the Octagon, however early feedback indicates that there is an increase in people staying in the area, and more people using the restaurants and bars around it.
