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Urban leader - A newsletter for urban design champions

Issue no. INFO 204 | 31 July 2007

Welcome

Welcome to our new look newsletter for urban design champions. This newsletter aims to help you champion good urban design in New Zealand by providing regular, informative and relevant information about urban design.

In this issue we have:

Urban Design Protocol now has 138 Signatories

A big welcome to the latest signatories to the Protocol: Streetscape, Auckland Regional Transport Authority, Ken Davis Architects, Kathleen Ryan – Consultant, Architecture Brewer-Davidson, Traffic Design Group, Tomorrow’s Manukau Properties, Corydon Consultants, Peake Design, Quigley and Watts, John Edmonds & Associates, Incite, Bloxam Burnett & Olliver, and Hobsonville Land Company.

For a list of all 138 signatories go to: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/urban/design-protocol/signatories.html

Tauranga Urban Design Week

Tauranga City Council is running an Urban Design Week, Inspire 2007 , from 2 - 8 August. Inspire 2007 will showcase what’s happening in Tauranga to other councils, the design community and organisations from around the country through a range of events. Inspire 2007 will also raise public awareness about urban design, the influences that have shaped the city, and the cultural heritage of Tauranga.

As part of the week the Ministry is holding a champions’ workshop on smaller town centres. If you have not received an invite to this and would like one please contact Janna Murray 

Changes at the Ministry for the Environment

The Ministry recently underwent a realignment so we could better deliver on the Government's new sustainability priorities. As a result the Urban team's functions have been split into two teams. The New Zealand Urban Design Protocol work now sits within the Liaison and Review team. Government policy for urban development, including the Greater Urban Economic Development Office work, now sits within the Urban Development team.

Contacts for the Urban Design Protocol work are:

Yvonne Weeber, phone (04) 439 7564 or email yvonne.weeber@mfe.govt.nz
Erica Sefton, phone (04) 439 7538 or email erica.sefton@mfe.govt.nz
Janna Murray, phone (04) 439 7432 or email janna.murray@mfe.govt.nz

New Urban Design Publications

We are working with a number of signatories to develop case studies of good urban design processes and projects. The first of these case studies, Addison Housing Development , is now available on our website. This case study examines the Addison housing development in Takanini, a suburb of Papakura, Auckland. The case study demonstrates the value of quality urban design for communities, the environment and the local economy.

The first report on the progress of signatories’ action plans is now available. This report presents the results of the first round of monitoring of signatories' action plans. The results indicate healthy progress is being made towards giving effect to the Protocol.

Urban Design Conferences

The International Urban Design conference will be held on Australia's Gold Coast from 6-8 September this year. The conference will focus on the environmental challenges likely to affect communities through global warming and sea level rises. The ability of urban centres world-wide to cope with the impacts of high level fuel costs will also be examined. The event includes workshops, debates and tours of South East Queensland, Australia’s fastest growing region.

The 53rd World congress on downtowns is being held in New York from 14-18 September 2007. Themed “Big Dreams, Bold Ideas”, the congress looks at a range of downtown issues including law enforcement, marketing, and forming business improvement districts. Key note speakers include Daniel L Doctoroff, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding, City of New York, and Vincent Vanderpool Wallace, Secretary General, Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Useful Links

  • The International Herald Tribune outlines its top 25 examples of urban design . What do you think?
  • Living with risk: promoting better public space design, a new publication by the UK’s Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, explores the key lessons for maintaining high quality urban design and for boosting stakeholders’ confidence to navigate risks in the design process.
  • Design Snapshot Scotland is a short easy guide to design in Scotland that aims to reinforce the importance of design and emphasise its role in the planning and development process.
  • Promoting physical activity and active living in urban environments is a report by the World Health Organisation which examines the role local governments play in creating environments that promote opportunities for physical activity and active living.
  • The Historic Environment Local Management website aims to share best practice and build capacity and confidence in those dealing with the historic environment.
  • The long-awaited UK Manual for Streets has been published by Communities and Local Government and the Department for Transport. The UK government hopes the guidance will lead to a transformation in the quality of new and existing streets.
  • Visit www.smarterhomes.org.nz  to find out how you can make your home warmer, drier, healthier and more comfortable, more affordable and kinder to the environment. The website includes information on energy efficiency, water efficiency, selecting appliances and design tips to smarten up your home.

Do You Want Your News in Here?

If you have something you want to share with the champions in the next newsletter email Janna Murray janna.murray@mfe.govt.nz

Note: articles submitted may be edited by the Ministry for the Environment.

Last updated: 13 January 2009