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The Town Centres Association New
Zealand (TCANZ) is a national body which provides town
and city centres throughout New Zealand with programmes
and resource material. The organisation’s vision is
“for Town Centres throughout
New Zealand to benefit their local
economy, environment and community.”
TCANZ is the trading operation of the
Mainstreet and Town Centre Management Trust of New
Zealand.
The Trust was established in the
early 1990s, with the assistance of the Department of
Labour through CEG, to assist and communities throughout
the country in their efforts to foster economic
revitalisation.
To build vibrant and healthy town
centres, TCANZ advocates the use of the ‘Four Point
Approach’, an internationally recognised process for
managing town centres.
The ‘Four Point Approach’ process is
inspired and builds upon the successful Mainstreet
programmes that have been in operation in New Zealand,
USA, Canada and Australian states.
The ‘Four Point Approach’ stresses
the need to bring together all stakeholders in a town or
city centre to develop a strategy focussed on meeting
the needs and wants of the centre’s customers.
Key stakeholders in any town or city
centre are:
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Local Authorities / Economic
Development Agencies |
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Businesses |
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Building Owners |
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Local Community |
The ‘Four Point Approach’ gives
consideration to four broad areas, which should form the
basis of any town or city centre programme:
Organisation & Management -
Building consensus and
co-operation among the many groups and stakeholders that
play a role within the town centre revitalisation
process.
Physical Enhancement -
Enhancing the appearance of the
town centre by improving the layout and design of the
centre, rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging
supportive new construction, and long-term planning.
Economic Development -
Strengthening the town’s
commercial business district, improving retail /
business mix, meeting new opportunities and challenges.
Marketing & Promotion -
Marketing the town centre’s
assets to customers, potential investors, new
businesses, local citizens and visitors.
“Town Centres are the hearts of our communities. They
are the centres of economic and social activity,
contributing to the fabric of our communities and
neighbourhoods. Town Centres perform an organic mix of
functions, including acting as a shopping centre, market
place, arts, culture and entertainment centre, a
business centre, a meeting place, a transport hub, a
community centre, and increasingly a place to live.” -Mark
Tollemache
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