3 Results: Organisations Conducting Research

Harrison Grierson Consultants Ltd

Ian Craig (Manager - Urban Design)

PO Box 5760
Wellesley Street
Auckland

Phone: (09) 917 5000
Fax: (09) 917 5001
Email: i.craig@harrisongrierson.com

In planning:

Nil.

In progress:

Title:

'Manukau City Council - crime prevention through environmental design guidelines'

Purpose:

To establish best practice standards for perceived unsafe locations in the public realm.

Researchers:

Karl Cooper, Martin van Jaarsveld.

Completed:

Title:

Applicability of Increased Density for Housing: A case study for the Auckland region (2000)

Purpose:

Thesis submitted in part fulfilment of the requirements of Master of Architecture, University of Auckland.

Researcher:

Abu Hoque.

Title:

Waitakere City Council Medium Density Housing Monitoring Project (2001)

Purpose:

To provide professional evaluation of the urban design success of a series of developments completed under the District Plan's medium-density housing provisions, and make recommendations of changes to Plan provisions and processing practice.

Researchers:

Ian Craig, Abu Hoque.

Hamilton City Council

Sven Hanne

Council Building
Garden Place
Private Bag 3010
Hamilton

Phone: (07) 838 6878
Fax: (07) 838 6464
Email: sven.hanne@hcc.govt.nz

In planning:

Nil.

In progress:

Title:

'Hamilton City Council Draft Waste Management Plan'

Purpose:

A statutory requirement for all councils. HCC's Draft Waste Management Plan has been created by an industry working group, using the National Waste Strategy as a guide. One of the targets is to amend building regulations to incorporate space allocation for recycling facilities in multi-unit residential and commercial buildings. In addition to the legally required public notice, the draft document has been sent out to approximately 150 builders, developers and trades people to encourage feedback. This feedback will be incorporated in the final document.

Completed:

Title:

Enviro-Classrooms: A design guide for schools

Purpose:

To assist schools in making decisions when building or renovating school buildings. It contains information on the issues that schools should consider when embarking on the design process.

Co-researchers:

Designs from individual schools and architects.

Housing New Zealand Corporation

Rob Graham (Senior Research and Evaluation Analyst)

National Office
Auckland

Phone: (09) 262 5986
Cellphone: (027) 280 5915
Email: rob.graham@hnzc.co.nz
Website: www.hnzc.govt.nz

In planning:

Nil.

In progress:

Nil.

Completed:

Title:

Best practice in medium density housing design (September 2004)

Purpose:

Land constraints and population pressures in cities are leading to a growth in medium-density housing. Public concerns exist about medium-density housing, particularly when it incorporates affordable housing. Opportunities exist to learn from existing 'good and best practice' and improve the quality of medium-density housing (medium-density housing with a social housing component).

Researcher:

Housing Research Group of the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at Unitec New Zealand.

Title:

Local measures of the ability of working households to become home owners in New Zealand (2004)

Purpose:

The costs and difficulties, of accessing home ownership vary sharply across New Zealand. This study is a spatial analysis of housing affordability, looking at local data on household incomes and QVNZ house sales data for 1991, 1996 and 2001. Results are presented in national, regional and sub-regional maps and tables.

Co-researcher:

Joint project with Statistics New Zealand.

Title:

Social Impacts of Intensive Housing (2005)

Purpose:

See Waitakere City Council Response.

Co-researchers:

Auckland City Council, Waitakere City Council, Auckland Regional Council.

Ian Butcher Architect

Fliss Butcher (Practice Manager and Sustainability Consultant)

52 Russell Street
PO Box 5877
Dunedin

Phone: (03) 479 0064
Cellphone: (027) 22 87 879
Fax: (03) 449 0466
Email: fliss.butcher@earthlight.co.nz

In planning:

Nil.

In progress:

Title:

'Neighbourhoods: the Arthur Street precinct: a snapshot of a proactive positive urban area'

Purpose:

To promote urban repair and ways to retain inner-city neighbourhoods.

Co-researchers:

Fliss Butcher; Ian Butcher.

Completed:

Title:

Abbeyfield Dunedin: Cutten Street Project proposal (August 2003)

Purpose:

Social science regarding the role of Abbeyfield in the local community.

Researcher:

Fliss Butcher.

Title:

Sustainable Architecture: How to reduce urban sprawl

Purpose:

Article for Pacific Ecologist (July 2004 edition).

Researcher:

Fliss Butcher.

Title:

Design Report to Accompany RMA Application: Titan Street, Dunedin (June 2004)

Purpose:

Urban repair in the campus district, including triple bottom line.

Co-researchers:

Ian Butcher, Fliss Butcher.

Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR)

Val Orchard (Science and Research Manager)

34 Kenepuru Drive
PO Box 50 348
Porirua
Wellington

Phone: (04) 914 0700
Fax: (04) 914 0770
Email: val.orchard@esr.cri.nz
Website: www.esr.cri.nz

Comments:

Co-researchers with OPUS on FRST study - see OPUS response.

International Global Change Institute

Neil Ericksen (IGCI Director and Professor)

University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton

Phone: (07) 858 5647
Fax: (07) 858 5689
Email: n.ericksen@waikato.ac.nz
Website: www.waikato.ac.nz/igci/

In planning:

Nil.

In progress:

Title:

'Planning under co-operative mandates (PUCM)'

Purpose:

PUCM is an ongoing research programme funded by FRST which relates to urban design. It started in 1995 and is now in its third and fourth phases. The early phases focused on environmental sustainability; the most recent phase on sustainable community development. In general terms, the research is about settlement planning and governance for sustainable development.

• Phase 1 developed methods for evaluating the quality of district plans notified under the RMA and the organisational and institutional factors that influence their preparation and therefore quality (1995-1998) (completed).
• Phase 2 developed methods for evaluating the quality of plan implementation and governance through resource consents, and involved six district councils and two topics - storm water management and urban amenity (1999-2002) (completed).
• Phase 3 is developing methods for evaluating the quality of environmental outcomes under the RMA with respect to stormwater management, urban amenity and built heritage, and makes links back to plans and councils studied in phases 1 and 2 (2003-2005) (in progress).
• Phase 4 is evaluating long term council community planning by councils under the new Local Government Act, and will draw on lessons learnt from our research under the RMA (2003-2009) (in progress).

Co-researchers:

IGCI subcontracts to six other collaborating groups, including private planning consultancies and universities. See www.waikato.ac.nz/igci/pucm

Completed:

Nil.

Landcare Research

Dr Charles Eason (Regional Manager - Hamilton and Auckland; Science Manager - Urban Environmental Manager)

Private Bag 92 170
Auckland

Phone: (09) 574 4130
Cellphone: (027) 224 0028
Fax: (09) 574 4101
Email: easonc@landcareresearch.co.nz

Dr Surya Pandey (Senior Scientist; Programme Leader, Urban Stormwater Impacts)

Private Bag 3127
Hamilton

Phone: (07) 858 3700
Fax: (07) 858 4964
E-mail: PandeyS@LandcareResearch.co.nz
Website: www.landcareresearch.co.nz

In planning:

Nil.

In progress:

Title:

'Reduction of road runoff contaminants: monitoring of treatment walls'

Purpose:

To reduce the contaminant load entering the receiving environment by developing low-cost treatment wall technologies to remove heavy metals and PAHs from road runoff.

We have been developing technology to treat road run-off at source in sensitive transport corridors before discharge to the receiving environment. Source control is desirable because once the run-off reaches the receiving environment it is too diluted to treat at low cost. Treatment wall technology is a relatively low-cost mitigation system, and field-trial results so far have shown that treatment walls are effectively removing/trapping pollutants from road run-off. However, we expect contaminants will eventually break through once all available sites in the substrate become saturated with pollutants and the treatment wall will be unable to hold any more pollutant in the substrate.

The objectives of this research are to: (i) reduce the contaminant load entering the receiving environment by developing low-cost treatment wall technologies to remove heavy metals and PAHs from road run-off; (ii) monitor the effectiveness of treatment walls in removing heavy metals and PAHs from road run-off, measure water and solute transport through the walls and the accumulation of heavy metal and organics in the wall substrates; and (iii) provide an indication of the timeframe for replacing the treatment wall material.

Co-researchers:

Surya Pandey, Matthew Taylor, Robert Lee (Landcare Research), Transfund New Zealand, Environment Waikato, Environment BOP, Hamilton City Council, Waipa District Council, Tauranga City Council.

Title:

'Tamaki building sustainability assessment'

Purpose:

Landcare Research has opened a new research institute. Continued assessment of the performance of the building using triple bottom line sustainability indicators and a rating system commenced in May 2004. The purpose of these assessments is to verify that innovative design features have achieved their goals or to learn about and redesign aspects that do not. This building will provide data which others may consider when designing similar buildings or when undertaking monitoring programmes.

Co-researchers:

Dr Maggie Lawton, Dr Charles Eason, Associate Professor Robert Vale.

Title:

'Low impact urban design and development: making it mainstream'

Purpose:

Our target outcomes are:

• transformation of urban development, construction and design
• measured improvement in urban freshwater, native and terrestrial environments
• reduced stormwater, infrastructure and energy demands and urban wastes.

These are to be achieved by facilitating the adoption of low-impact urban design and development (LIUDD).

This summary describes our research programme, which provides a platform for a trans-disciplinary urban research approach underpinned by a literature review on low-impact urban design and development (LIUDD) and preliminary results from working with six key stakeholder groups: consumers, Maori, community, developers, and regional and city councils. Conventional development practices lead to adverse effects from stormwater run-off in urban areas and contribute to escalating costs of infrastructure. LIUDD comprises design and development practices that utilise natural systems and new low-impact technologies to avoid, minimise and mitigate environmental damage, and reduce energy requirements and waste. Some Auckland councils, and other city councils in New Zealand, have recognised the opportunities for environmental protection and infrastructural cost savings by producing a variety of low-impact strategies and guidelines. However, there are major constraints associated with these guidelines: consumer and practitioner behaviour, deficient pricing of resources such as water, conflicts between stakeholder groups, and the variable quality of planning instruments. Significant practical work and research are required to overcome obstacles to broad-scale uptake of LIUDD.

With this in mind we have implemented a four-pronged research programme that provides information on (i) the performance of LIUDD at the development site and catchment scale; (ii) the economics of conventional versus LIUDD; (iii) the potential for integration among different types of instruments (district plans and codes of practice) that will be a prerequisite for the development of a rational set of incentives for developers; and (iv) through a participatory research approach we will facilitate uptake of LIUDD by the range of professionals and consumers. The programme commenced in October 2003 and is scheduled to run for six years. It will allow for the assessment of the different development processes and alternative urban design and form. We aim to demonstrate LIUDD's technical and ecological benefits, and to strengthen and rationalise plans and regulations. We are currently working on case study sites in Auckland and other main centres with rapid development. Extensive opportunities exist for urban ecologists to compare urban biodiversity within and between cities undergoing different forms of development.

Co-researchers:

Professor Jenny Dixon (University of Auckland), Clare Feeney (Environment and Business Group Ltd), Sandy Elliott (NIWA), Ngarimu Blair (Ngati Whatua), Glen Stewart (Lincoln University).

Completed:

Title:

Investigating the Use of Filter Media for Removal of Soluble Contaminants from Stormwater (2004)

Purpose:

To: (i) determine the types and amounts of contaminants (Cu, Pb, Zn, fluoranthene, pyrene, and soluble solids) removed from stormwater during typical storm events using wood-ash, sand, and green-waste compost as filter media from a filtration system designed to Auckland Regional Council's standard Technical Publication 10 (TP 10) filtration criteria; (ii) determine permeability rates for filter materials and rates of clogging over the period December 2002 to October 2003, which covers both summer and winter; and (iii) determine the depth of contaminant penetration in the filter media bed.

Territorial and regional authorities in New Zealand have identified stormwater management as a priority environmental issue in urban areas, with increasing attention being paid to the use of various filter systems to reduce the contaminant load in road run-off. In many cases, the effective application of such systems requires the development of improved filtration media, design and operational parameters (eg, frequency of sediment or medium removal) to align construction, performance and maintenance to specific guidelines, such as those for stormwater interception devices as suggested by Auckland Regional Council (ARC) in TP 10.

Co-researchers:

Surya Pandey, Matthew Taylor (Landcare Research), Earl Shaver (ARC), Peter Reid (Waitakere City Council).

Title:

Land Versatility Information in the Extension Area of the Western Bay of Plenty Sub Region, for the Smart Growth Consortium (2003)

Purpose:

To evaluate soils at a reconnaissance level of detail to provide the data necessary to construct maps of versatility for food and fibre production and urban constraints in the extension area of the Western Bay of Plenty. The Smart Growth consortium comprised Environment BOP, Tauranga District Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and tangata whenua. This report provided for the extension area: (i) an inventory of key soil description and attribute information for each soil type; and (ii) an evaluation and classification of each soil according to a three-tier (1-2-3) scale of versatility for food and fibre production and constraints for urban development and use.

Co-researchers:

Dr Surya Pandey, Graham Shepherd, Murray Jessen.

Title:

Characterisation of Runoff Contaminants from New Zealand Roads, and Effect of Rainfall Events (2002) (Transfund New Zealand Research Report No. 228)

Purpose:

Increasingly in New Zealand, and elsewhere, the incorporation of treatment technologies to mitigate the negative impacts of road runoff before they are discharged into receiving water bodies is becoming an integral part of road construction. This research was undertaken to investigate contaminants found in New Zealand road run-off and to characterise the components at source. It was also to determine how the relative concentrations, total load and characteristics change with the frequency and intensity of rainfall events.

Co-researchers:

Ms A O'Riley, Dr Surya Pandey (Landcare Research); Associate Professor A Langdon, Professor A Wilkins (University of Waikato).

Comments:

LIUDD publications 4 June 2004

Journal articles, peer reviewed conference papers

Eason CT, Dixon J, van Roon MA. Trans-disciplinary research approach providing a platform for improved urban design, quality of life and biodiverse urban ecosystems. Submitted for publication in McDonnell M (ed) The Comparative Ecology of Cities and Towns (tentative title). Cambridge University Press.

Eason CT, Dixon J, Feeney C, van Roon M. 2003. Low impact urban design and development making it mainstream to protect Auckland's waterways. In: Beriatos E, Brebbia CA, Coccossis H, Kungoios A(eds) Sustainable Planning and Development, WIT Press: Southampton, UK, 833-846. [Conference paper, published as book chapter.]

van Roon M (in review). An assessment of low impact development for aquatic ecosystem sustainability. Journal of Environmental Assessment, Policy and Management.

Papers in locally distributed journals

Eason CT, Dixon J, Feeney C, van Roon M, Keenan B, Craig J. 2003. Designing out stormwater impacts: can we make low-impact development mainstream. Water and Wastes 131: 48-50.

Lawton M, Grindell J. 2003. Future focused. Build Oct/Nov: 6-7. [An article about the new Landcare Research building at Tamaki.]

van Roon M, Eason CT. 2003. Why urban design strategies need a four-pronged approach. New Zealand Environment 37: 10.

Conference papers

Bibby RL, Webster JG. 2003. Characterisation of urban suspended particulate matter in the Auckland Region. Talk presented at Solutions to Pollution SETAC Asia Pacific Conference, Christchurch, 28 September - 1 October.

Eason C, Pandey S, Feeney C, van Roon M, Dixon J. 2004. Low impact urban design: making it mainstream. Submitted for Proceedings Sustainable Engineering Conference, Auckland, 6-9 July.

Eason CT, Herald J, Simcock R, Pandey S, Dixon J. 2003. Mitigating the impact of urban pollution and development to improve stormwater management and protect urban streams in estuaries. Talk presented at Solutions to Pollution SETAC Asia Pacific Conference, Christchurch, 28 September - 1 October.

Heslop V, Dixon J, Lynsar P. 2004. The role of developers in implementing low impact urban design in housing developments in Auckland, New Zealand. Proceedings IAIA Conference, April, Vancouver.

Hughes M, Taylor M, Feeney C. 2004. An overview of the stormwater management resources programme. Proceedings Stormwater 2004, New Zealand Water and Wastes Association Conference, Rotorua, 6-7 May.

Moore S. 2003. Capturing invertebrate images with AutoMontage - an identification tool [oral presentation] and Strategies for low impact urban design [poster presentation]. Presented at the New Zealand-Australian Limnology Conference in Warrnambool, Victoria, December.

Pandey S, Taylor M, Shaver E, Reid P. 2004. The use of various filter media: a Henderson case study. Proceedings Stormwater 2004, New Zealand Water and Wastes Association Conference, Rotorua, 6-7 May.

Pandey S, Taylor M, Shaver E, Reid P, Lee R (submitted). 2004. Removal of soluble contaminants from stormwater by various filter media. Submitted for oral presentation at 13th World Clean Air and Environmental Protection Congress and Exhibition, London, UK, 22-27 August.

Pandey S, Taylor M, Shaver E, Lee R. 2003 [abstract]. Reducing road runoff contaminants through low-cost treatment wall (filter) systems. International Conference on Pollution in the Metropolitan and Urban Environment, Hong Kong, 3-5 November.

Simcock R, Zanders J, Worthy D, Dando J, Thornburrow D, McLaren R, Mcleod M, Daysh K, Taylor A, Claydon J. 2004. Use the right soil to get the stormwater treatment you want. Proceedings Stormwater 2004, New Zealand Water and Wastes Association Conference, Rotorua, 6-7 May.

Taylor M, Pandey S, Lee R, Buckley M. 2004. Road runoff contaminant removal by a treatment wall in a high traffic industrial area. Proceedings Stormwater 2004, New Zealand Water and Wastes Association Conference, Rotorua, 6-7 May.

Trowsdale S. 2004. Assessing contaminant load in urban runoff: a case study using MUSIC. Proceedings Stormwater 2004, NZ Water and Wastes Association Conference, Rotorua, 6-7 May.

van Roon M, Moore S, Trowsdale S. 2004. Proving low impact urban design and development will deliver biodiversity. Proceedings Stormwater 2004, New Zealand Water and Wastes Association Conference, Rotorua, 6-7 May.

van Roon M, Moore S (submitted). 2004. Evaluating the ecological efficacy of low impact urban design and development. Submitted for Proceedings New Zealand Sustainable Science and Engineering Conference, Auckland, 6-9 July.

van Roon MR. 2003. New Zealand progress in the implementation of water sensitive (low impact) urban design: the key to urban stream ecosystem protection. Paper presented at the Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8-10 December.

van Roon MR. 2003. The ecological basis and efficacy of low impact urban design, development and restoration. Poster presentation at the New Zealand Ecological Society Conference, Auckland, 18-20 November.

Newsletter articles and press releases

Eason C. The state of our towns and cities [editorial] December 2003. Discovery 8: 1.

Eason C. Research exposes barriers to building better cities December 2003. Discovery 8: 2-3.

Meurk C. 'Stepping stones' can lead native birds back to cities December 2003. Discovery 8: 5-6.

Moore S. City life can be fine for fish December 2003. Discovery 8: 6-7.

Mowat W 2003. In Touch With NZ, Radio NZ, 17 October 2003. [Interview with Colin Meurk as one of the keynote speakers at the Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture's 2003 conference about bringing nature back into the urban environment.]

Simcock R. Researchers get the real dirt on rain gardens December 2003. Discovery 8: 4-5.

Tremblay L. Researchers fish for answers on urban stream pollution December 2003. Discovery 8: 7-8.

Trowsdale S, Morgan F. New vision for expanding city December 2003. Discovery 8: 3-4.

Wilson M (presenter), Checkpoint, 28 October 2003. [Reporter Kaye Gossett spoke to Colin Meurk and Margaret Kilvington about bringing more native species into the urban environment, protecting those already there and the feelings and values people have about native and exotic species in their cities.]

Royal Society, Alert 27 November 2003. [Piece on the 3rd International Wildlife Management Congress.]

'Greening the City' Aim of Conference. Press 20 October 2003. [Article reporting Colin Meurk's work surveying the number of native trees and plants in Christchurch and Auckland cities.]

Contract reports - related work

Herald JR, Luckman PJ, Willoughby EJ. Environmentally Sensitive Area Mapping of Waitakere City's Northern Strategic Growth Area. Landcare Research Contract Report LC0304/004 prepared for Waitakere City Council.

Morgan F, Trowsdale S, Willoughby EJ. Environmentally Sensitive Area Mapping of Waitakere City's Northern Strategic Growth Area including the Red Hills Extension. Landcare Research Contract Report LC0304/090 prepared for Waitakere City Council.

Pandey S, Taylor M. 2004. Investigating the Use of Filter Media for Removal of Soluble Contaminants from Stormwater. Landcare Research Contract Report LC0304/047 prepared for Auckland Regional Council.

Pandey S, Taylor M, Lee R. 2003. Reduction of Road Runoff Contaminants: Laboratory experiments and monitoring of treatment walls. Landcare Research Contract Report LC0304/031 prepared for Transfund NZ and Environment Waikato.