Auckland case study
Case study: Surveys of the Auckland Isthmus Business 4 Zone
Purpose and process
Auckland City Council wanted to know whether the rules in the Business 4 Zone of the Auckland District Plan were meeting their objectives. These objectives are to:
- provide for medium-intensity business activity
- maintain and enhance the quality of the environment in the zone
The Council conducted two surveys to evaluate the rules in the Business 4 Zone.
The Business 4 Zone covers 840 hectares, and provides for mixed development, including light industrial, commercial, and residential. The rules within the Business 4 Zone are more liberal than within residential zones. They include higher height limits and no controls on residential density. This has meant a very high number and very high density of residential units in the zone.
Survey methods: qualitative, quantitative, and on-ground
An independent research firm designed and carried out a detailed face-to-face qualitative survey of 18 residents and owners of commercial property. The qualitative survey aimed to assess participants’ understanding of a business zone, their satisfaction with living in a business zone, and their attitudes to further development in the area.
The research firm also conducted a quantitative telephone survey of 500 residents. This survey aimed to find out what the majority of people were satisfied with and concerned about.
Students employed by Auckland City Council also carried out a detailed on-ground survey of each site in the Business 4 Zone. This on-ground survey enabled the Council to identify all the characteristics of the Business 4 Zone, and the activity happening in that environment.
Lessons learned
Using qualitative and quantitative survey methods gives robust data that can be used for various council projects. The surveys can be easily repeated, and can be used in long-term monitoring. Using an independent research firm improved objectivity and added to the robustness of the data.
The research process was more time-consuming than expected, with a corresponding increase in costs. More clearly defined objectives may have reduced the time required. Residential development is happening so fast in the Business 4 Zone that the characteristics of the area were changing even as the surveys were conducted.
