Foreword

The Draft New Zealand Urban Design Protocol marks a significant milestone in improving the quality of our towns and cities. It reflects the Government's commitment to improving the quality of life and economic futures for all New Zealanders and is an important part of our Sustainable Development Programme of Action.

New Zealand is renowned across the world for its beautiful natural environment and this is one of the major factors that draw visitors and migrants to our country. However, our towns and cities do not yet share this reputation. As almost 87 percent of New Zealanders live in urban areas, we need to invest now in making our towns and cities successful places that work for people and that proclaim New Zealand's confidence in its urban future. We need to retain the best of what has been handed down to us and ensure every new development adds to this legacy. We need to rediscover the art of place making.

For a small country like ours with limited resources, it is critical that we consider the longer term. The buildings and infrastructure we construct now and the places we create will be with us for at least 50 years, so we need to do it well first time around. We must also creatively re-use and re-design our existing buildings, spaces and places. We cannot afford to withhold investment in good design.

Quality urban design is an essential component in the success of our towns and cities. The design of buildings, spaces, places and networks has a significant impact on people and how they live their lives, our identity as a nation, and the competitiveness of our towns and cities. If we want our towns and cities to be successful, we have to raise awareness of design and demand better quality.

Quality urban design creates places that work and places that people will use and value. Our lives are connected through our common built environment; we all live and work in buildings, and use streets, public spaces, transport systems and other forms of urban infrastructure. Research has demonstrated that quality urban design adds economic, environmental, social and cultural value. These benefits accrue to a wide range of people.

At a time of rapid change, we now have an opportunity to dramatically enhance the success of our towns and cities and to create places that we can all be proud of.

Hon Marian L Hobbs

Minister with Responsibility for Urban Affairs

Minister for the Environment

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