Summary of feedback from submissions on the Draft New Zealand Urban Design Protocol
Sources of submissions
110 submissions were received, with the submissions received from approximately:
- 25% from individuals
- 17% from local government
- 16% from the private sector
- 9% from government agencies
- 9% from private interest groups
- 8% from professional bodies.
The remainder from a variety of other organisations, including tertiary education institutions, charitable trusts, and industry associations.
Feedback: Key themes
The majority of submissions were supportive of the draft Urban Design Protocol. Comments from submitters included:
"We commend the Ministry for the Environment for producing the protocol....[submitter] sees central government commitment to New Zealand's towns and cities as an essential ingredient to creating quality living environments that can sustain, attract, and stimulate us all." - Private sector consultancy
"[Submitter] reiterates its general support for the Protocol as a good first step in the journey to improve the urban design quality of our urban environment" - Local government
"On behalf of [submitter] I welcome the preparation of the draft Urban Design Protocol (UDP) and believe it is an important and positive step forward to promoting better outcomes and quality urban environments" - Private sector construction and development company
"The main strengths of the draft UDP are that it:
- clearly signals that central government considers high quality urban design to be important
- raises the profile of urban design, and provides a forum for discussion of what urban design is, and how it can be implemented
- shows relevance across many sectors, and begins to provide a common language for discussion...." - Central government department
56 organisations indicated in their submissions that they would be willing to become signatories to the Protocol.
Submitters were asked whether the draft Protocol addresses the key urban design issues in New Zealand's towns and cities. Below is a summary of the key issues submitters felt the Protocol could further elaborate on.
Please note: This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all the comments.
Sustainability
Sustainability incorporates sustainable resource use, the natural environment and natural infrastructure (ecosystem) services. Proactive approaches to improving sustainability in urban design could include:
- Improving the management of stormwater by recognising the link between land use/urban design and stormwater;
- Providing guidance on managing the environmental risks associated with development; and
- Contributing to efficient energy use by guaranteeing access to sunlight/designing for passive solar gain.
Healthy cities
Quality urban design has a direct positive impact on public health by increasing levels of physical activity. The health impacts of physical inactivity are wider than just obesity, and include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and mental health issues. Quality urban design creates environments where inhabitants feel safe, where access and mobility is improved and a range of transportation options are available, including walking, cycling, and public transport.
Heritage
New Zealand's historic heritage plays a role in contributing to quality urban design and is one of the elements that make our urban character distinctive. The unique distinctiveness of New Zealand towns and cities should be emphasised.
Community participation
Effective communication and community participation is integral to achieving quality urban design. Design has a strong 'human dimension' and should take into account the wide variety and range of people who live in urban settings. Quality urban design is strongly connected to better urban social and economic outcomes.
Urban sprawl
Urban sprawl undermines the viability of urban areas. Land use planning which segregates uses creates large distances for people to travel. Quality urban design integrates sustainable land use planning, infrastructure, development, and transportation.
Please note that a number of issues raised by the submitters are being addressed as part of the Ministry for the Environment Statement of Urban Affairs Strategic Priorities which will inform government on the direction on key urban issues.
Feedback: Suggestions for further implementation tools that should be considered
Submitters were asked to suggest urban design implementation tools in addition to the implementation tools identified in the Protocol. Suggestions included:
Central government leadership
Central government should lead the way with a quantifiable level of commitment. This could be achieved by insisting on good urban design in all its future investments in infrastructure, public open space and public/institutional buildings.
Local government leadership
Local Government needs to have a clear leadership role, particularly as the resource consent process has a potentially crucial role in improving urban design. This could be achieved by:
- Encouraging Territorial Authorities to see every major urban development proposal as an opportunity to advance quality urban design and should actively in negotiation with investors and developers.
- Using development levies funds more creatively in urban situations. Include appropriate references to urban design in local authority documents such as LTCCPs (Long Term Council Community Plans).
- Including design-led criteria in District Plans.
- Territorial authorities should develop codes of practice which may provide benefits under the Resource Management Act process.
Define "quality urban design"
The understanding of what quality urban design means needs to be defined. This definition needs to:
- Recognise the influence of different attitudes and assumptions on how decisions are made.
- Include information on the processes and systems that are necessary to achieve the desired outcomes for urban areas.
Education
There is a shortage of urban design skills in New Zealand and a lack of awareness in the public realm about the importance of quality urban design. This could be addressed through the following initiatives:
- Ensure Central and local government work collaboratively with universities and professional bodies to expand tertiary training courses, and develop appropriate Continuing Professional Development courses.
- Develop mentoring and training programmes for mayors and influential councillors.
- Consider a New Zealand version of the UK retraining/education programme. Boost the availability and application of urban design skills.
- Introduce urban design into the curriculum in secondary schools.
- Develop a campaign directed at the public and community groups to explain the importance of urban design and the benefits of quality urban design.
Legislation
Quality urban design requires some degree of legislative compulsion. This could be achieved through the following mechanisms:
- Strengthen the role of Resource Management Act in delivering urban design outcomes by amending the Act to give explicit reference to urban issues and urban design. Quality urban design could be incorporated into Part II of the Act, either as a matter of national importance in Section 6 or as an 'other matter' in Section 7.
- Develop a National Policy Statement on Urban Design. For example, something similar to the PPG 1 (Planning Policy Guidance 1) in the United Kingdom.
- Tighten the building standards under the Building Code.
- Encourage the identification and establishment of design sensitive precincts within Council Plans.
- District/City Plans need to require recognition of and value good design in all environments.
National guidelines
- Identify good practice by developing a consistent framework of urban design principles throughout New Zealand.
- Prepare urban design guidance notes for local authorities.
National Urban Design Agency and Urban Design panels
- Establish a central government organisation or separate entity to foster urban design.
- Organise and fund a national advisory group along the lines of the CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) model to assist smaller councils.
- Establish urban design forums in each region to be available at the pre application phase of a development.
Funding and resources
Government should support coordination and collaboration between stakeholders by providing adequate resources. This could be achieved by:
- Ensuring regional and local authorities receive central government funding to implement and sustain quality urban design in the public realm.
- Ensuring the Ministry for the Environment may need to provide follow-up support beyond soliciting signatories and setting up the framework.
- Organising on-going workshops to facilitate the implementation of the Protocol. Fund existing champions of urban design.
- Providing incentives to encourage good urban design outcomes and attract developers and professionals to sign up to the Protocol.
- Ensuring Tertiary education institutions and professional bodies receive government funding for teaching and research.
Monitoring
- Set targets for attracting signatories and gaining whole of government commitment and include these in the Protocol, along with a timeline including the monitoring and review of the Protocol.
- Be more specific about what is expected from signatories in terms of monitoring and evaluation.
Research
- Establish a national urban institute for research and encourage more research into urban development.
- Draw on international experience.
Target specific audiences
- Develop versions of the protocol targeting different audiences and listing actions for each.
- Develop toolkits targeted at different user groups, for example a toolkit for land transport. Address the role and responsibilities of iwi.
Demonstration projects
- Demonstrate urban design concepts through their implementation in selected locations.
Urban design awards
- Awards for the best and worst examples of urban design.
Urban design indicators
- Develop indicators to measure social, economic, environmental and cultural health.
Other feedback
Feedback from the forums held in August and September 2004 has been also been summarised.
Last updated: 17 September 2007
