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Timothy Welch

Guest writer

Timothy Welch is a senior lecturer in architecture and town planning at the University of Auckland. He specialises in transportation, infrastructure and urban modelling with a focus on the use of big data and technology.

Bikes should be part of every emergency kit (Image: Archi Banal)

When the shit hits the fan, bikes will bring us back from the brink

Batteries, bottled water... bike? Why two-wheeled transport deserves a place in your disaster preparedness kit.

By Timothy Welch | 22nd October, 2023

Road (Image: Archi Banal)

‘Just one more lane’: Does National’s transport plan add up?

New Zealand's car-centric transport policy of the 1950s and 60s is a good lesson in what not to do today. Why does National want to go back there?

By Timothy Welch | 1st August, 2023

PM Chris Hipkins surveys damage in Auckland (Photo: Supplied)

We need ‘sponge cities’ to avoid future flooding disasters

The more hard surfaces we build, the more stormwater we need to drain. Here's how we can future-proof our urban design as climate change bites.

By Timothy Welch | 31st January, 2023

Image: Getty Images / Archi Banal

Please stop building cul-de-sacs

They're an emblem of the suburban dream, but here's why no exit streets are actually a nightmare.

By Timothy Welch | 18th January, 2023

The first cruise ship arrives in New Zealand following the reopening of maritime borders on August 12, 2022. (Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Cruise ships are coming back to NZ. But do we really want them?

Their arrival back in New Zealand waters was met with jubilation, but the case against cruise ships remains strong.

By Timothy Welch | 28th August, 2022

(Getty Images)

Using inner-city land for car parking? In a housing crisis, that doesn’t add up

Our central city land is far too valuable to pave over.

By Timothy Welch | 4th October, 2021

A cyclist with Auckland’s Sky Tower in the distance (Photo: Getty Images)

Why calling ordinary NZ cyclists ‘elitist’ makes little sense

It's one of the most common criticisms of those fighting for better bike infrastructure in our cities. But the 'elitist' jibe has little basis in reality.

By Timothy Welch | 27th July, 2021