Vincent Revell

Vincent Revell, a civil engineer with German work experience and co-founder of Circle Living (a development company), brings a passionate urban planning perspective to the podcast. He introduces Marchetti's Constant, the idea that humans tolerate approximately 30-minute commutes, which historically defined city sizes: walking cities (3km), horse cart cities, then automobile cities (50km) post-1950s that sprawled outward. He describes Auckland as "a series of nice destinations connected by traffic sewers" and shares his Dominion Road "light bulb moment", realising cars are the culprit ruining otherwise nice heritage environments. The economic argument for density is compelling: low-density areas have 1 ratepayer per 20m of infrastructure, while medium-density areas have 9 ratepayers for the same stretch. He defends 15-minute cities against conspiracy theorists (it's simply about walkable amenity access) and points to Wynyard Quarter as the best example of how Auckland should look. Circle Living's co-housing model features communal spaces, pre-build community during pre-sales, and cars parked on the periphery. Their first project (Taka) is in Golden Bay, with a second near Nelson.

Key Topics Discussed

• Marchetti's Constant. 30-minute commute tolerance defines city size through history: walking cities (3km), horse cart cities, automobile cities (50km).
• Auckland critique. "A series of nice destinations connected by traffic sewers."
• Dominion Road light bulb moment. Cars are the culprit ruining otherwise nice heritage environments.
• Economic density argument. 1 ratepayer per 20m of infrastructure (low density) vs 9 ratepayers for the same stretch (medium density).
• 15-minute cities. Misunderstood by conspiracy theorists, actually about walkable amenity access.
• Wynyard Quarter. Best example of how Auckland should look.
• Circle Living co-housing. Communal spaces, pre-build community during pre-sales, peripheral parking.
• Taka project in Golden Bay. First co-housing development, with a second near Nelson.
• Kiwi quarter-acre dream vs infrastructure reality. "Don't complain about rates if you want sprawl."

Notable Quotes

"Auckland is a series of nice destinations connected by traffic sewers."

"Don't complain about rates if you want sprawl."

Marchetti's Constant: humans tolerate approximately 30-minute commutes, defining city sizes through history.

Guest Background

Vincent Revell is a civil engineer born in Auckland with German work experience (spoke German). He co-founded Circle Living, a development company focused on co-housing models that build community alongside buildings.