Auckland streets keep breaking out in different coloured spots

The spots on Shortland Street have been added to with blue spots now appearing alongside the beige spots.

A downtown Auckland street is breaking out in spots.

Large beige-coloured spots appeared on two sections of lower Shortland St in May. Now, blue spots have appeared at intersections with high pedestrians use measure.

It's what's known as "urban acupuncture" and "tactical urbanism", or trialling ideas in simple, quick and cost-effective ways, says the city's design champion Ludo Campbell-Reid.

"They look beautiful don't they," he says of the new blue spots, which are part of the vision for a pedestrian laneway circuit through the city and a year-long traffic calming trial costing $25,000.

For the Auckland Design Office, it's a case of taking small steps. The spotty sections at the end of O'Connell St and where Shortland St meets High St and Jean Batten Place are an interim measure.

"The project is also a temporary pilot to deal to significant concerns about speeding drivers and potential impact on pedestrian safety at this key intersection," says Campbell-Reid.

Anyone who has tried to cross lower Shortland St will know it's tricky and cuts off High St from Jean Batten shared space.

Traffic still has the right of way, but the attention drivers pay to the unexpected pattern serves to slow everyone down and heighten awareness of other street users, Campbell-Reid said.

"Eventually we'd like to see major raised pedestrian tables at every intersection where shared streets interface with traditional street design."