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Conclusions

The Addison residential development is not only of interest to Auckland, but also to the rest of the country, because it is a large-scale, high-quality, medium-density, greenfields residential development that has been based on clear urban design principles. It is already adding considerable economic, social and environmental value to Takanini and the wider Papakura district.

In terms of medium-density housing in the New Zealand context, there is certainly much to be learnt from the Addison development. It has adopted best practice from high-quality examples of Australian new urbanism. However, we now need to learn from the Addison project to evolve a housing development solution that is uniquely New Zealand in character and feel.

McConnell Property and the Papakura District Council have both faced many challenges in advancing this development. Both are equally committed to quality outcomes, but have different, and sometimes conflicting, approaches. The practicalities involved in addressing the low-impact, contemporary solutions to infrastructure in this particular environment, is one such debate. The ownership and ongoing maintenance of public space areas and rear access lanes is another. The lessons learnt from this process will be invaluable for informing best practice in the New Zealand context for future medium- and high-density residential developments.

Finally, because less than 20 percent of the development has been constructed to date, just how the development will fit into its landscape, once 1500 homes are constructed, will need to be examined. The effect of the Addison housing development on the economic, social and environmental values in the area will also require re-evaluation once the development is complete.

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