2 Summary of Responses
Predominant types of research
a. Responses to the survey suggest that a large proportion of the reported urban research in New Zealand is being carried out around the concept of sustainability, covering such topics as how to create more sustainable communities, buildings, suburbs and cities. Here are some examples.
- BRANZ has completed information resources for urban practitioners on urban sustainability in New Zealand and worldwide.
- Unitec in Auckland is carrying out extensive research on urban sustainability.
- Forest Research has completed work on Smart Growth, intensification and limitations to sustainable development, and has also completed research on best practice urban renewal and community growth.
- The Ministry of Transport is working on a publication, Towards more sustainable cities.
- The International Global Change Institute has an ongoing research programme looking at settlement planning and governance for sustainable development.
b. Transport is another key area of research. Issues being researched include the following.
- Landcare Research is undertaking a project to reduce the environmental effects of run-off from roads.
- The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is planning research on the effects of land use planning and urban form on mobility.
- NIWA is planning research on the effects of transport on the environment, and has completed research on public versus private transport in Auckland.
- OPUS International Consultants are co-researchers on a project looking at ways to reduce transport carbon dioxide emissions.
- Pinnacle Research has completed research on travel behaviour.
c. A number of councils and other organisations are looking at housing-related issues. For example:
- Housing New Zealand Corporation has completed a best practice review of medium-density housing.
- The Centre for Housing Research is looking at housing for older people and the impacts of economic, social and environmental changes on the housing sector.
- Auckland Regional Council is looking at intensive housing demand and supply issues.
Other areas of research
d. Stormwater and waste management research includes the following.
- Auckland Regional Council has completed a range of projects addressing stormwater treatment and management.
- The Sustainable Management Fund is funding work on reducing stormwater pollution in Gisborne and a Stormwater Management Resources Programme.
- The New Zealand Water Environment Research Foundation has completed a directory of stormwater publications and resources.
e. Health research includes the following.
- The University of Canterbury is examining linkages between health and urban social polarisation and has investigated the relationship between urban deprivation and hospital admissions.
- enHealth has completed a survey identifying the health concerns of occupants and the potential health impacts of different housing density environments in Auckland City.
- NIWA is researching the health effects of air pollution in cities.
- The Auckland Regional Public Health Service has published a report on the state of public health in the Auckland region, including the influence of social and environmental factors on health.
f. Research on low-impact urban design includes the following.
- Auckland Regional Council has published a design manual.
- Landcare Research is working on making low-impact urban design more mainstream, including the transformation of urban development, construction and design, and reducing stormwater, infrastructure and energy demands.
g. Issues surrounding energy efficiency are being explored by many organisations. For example:
- The University of Canterbury is planning research on sustainable energy supply and consumption
- Landcare Research is undertaking an assessment of the effectiveness of various design features of the Tamaki Building, which incorporates a number of features to improve energy efficiency.
h. Other topics that organisations are researching include crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), safety and access, public participation and consultation, and planning for natural hazards.
Case studies
i. Several case studies are being carried out. For example:
- The University of Otago has analysed case studies from the United Kingdom to investigate ways of achieving a sustainable urban form
- The Ministry for the Environment has compiled a compendium of urban design case studies to demonstrate the practical application of principles in the draft New Zealand Urban Design Protocol. As it develops, this will provide examples of successful and innovative urban design initiatives that may be of interest and use to researchers. The compendium has been jointly funded by Auckland Regional Council.
Strategic research
Strategic research is being carried out by a number of city councils. Christchurch City Council is working on an urban development strategy, Tauranga City Council is working on a planning strategy for a greenfield site, and Whangarei District Council has published an urban growth strategy.
The University of Canterbury has compiled a strategic asset planning publication.
Conclusions
Research captured by this survey is predominantly Auckland-based. Other centres where research is being conducted include Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin.
Collaboration is occurring among some organisations.
- Landcare Research has adopted a collaborative process to ensure that key findings from past programmes do not go unnoticed. This applies to its project on low-impact urban design and development, which is a collaborative effort with the University of Auckland, Environment and Business Group Ltd, NIWA, Ngati Whatua and Lincoln University.
- The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Canterbury is working with Christchurch City Council and Nature's Flame on a project looking at home heating and health.
- enHealth is working with Auckland University of Technology, Auckland Regional Council and Auckland Regional Public Health Services looking at the potential health impacts of residential intensification in Auckland city.
- The Ministry for the Environment is publishing its research on urban design as supporting resources to the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol.
The matter of urban design research co-ordination, and particularly the dissemination of findings and the reporting and sharing of information, will be considered as part of the Ministry for the Environment's Urban Design Protocol and work on the proposed Urban Affairs Statement of Priorities (see the Ministry for the Environment entry for further information).
