Management methods
Managing urban amenity is a creative and strategic process. Using a mix of management methods—regulatory and non-regulatory—can keep the community involved and allow planners to ‘think outside the rules’.
Regulatory methods
Regulatory methods are the ‘must do’ management methods that require the community to comply.
- Rules in plans set standards that must be complied with. Resource consent is required if rules aren’t complied with. Rules are good for avoiding or lessening the negative effects of development. They provide certainty to developers and the community.
- Signage bylaws control activities on public land, such as footpaths.
- Regulatory design guides require people to design a building that is in keeping with the surrounding area. They provide guidance on ‘good design outcomes’.
Non-regulatory methods
Non-regulatory methods give examples, encouragement, guidance, and assistance to the community. Non-regulatory methods include services and programmes; strategies, plans, and guidelines; financial assistance and investment; and information and education.
- Council services such as parks, landscaping, and road maintenance add to an area’s amenity. Council services must be strategically planned.
- Mainstreet programmes focus on the central street in a town or suburb. Councils work in partnership with local businesses and other services and agencies.
- Streetscape projects enhance local streets by, for example, planting trees and adding street furniture.
- Strategic plans set strategic directions for specific parts of districts or regions. The submissions process enables the public to participate in setting strategic directions.
- Other council plans like reserve plans and landscape plans provide important information for future amenity development.
- Annual plans and project budgets allocate funds for specific projects to enhance urban amenity. The submissions process enables the public to suggest possible projects.
- Non-regulatory design guides encourage people to design a building that is in keeping with the surrounding area.
- CBD streetscape investment enhances and revitalises a central business district, improving its safety, vibrancy, and appearance.
- Financial incentives such as rates relief help people who want to, for example, restore a heritage building or protect areas of indigenous vegetation.
- Direct investment such as purchasing heritage buildings and housing developments can provide examples and direction for people considering development in the same area.
- Information provision on topics like tree planting and heritage protection help the community to make the right choices in their environment.
- Education events such as seminars, courses, and workshops inform the community of urban amenity issues. These can lead to community-based projects.
- Advocacy to central government and other agencies can represent the community’s view on issues that may require central government involvement.
