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  • Ageing Pipes and Murky Waters: Urban Water Issues for the 21st Century

    Published by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment - June 2000

    This paper identifies the key social, environmental and economic issues affecting the sustainable management of urban water systems and presents a series of relevant questions to encourage debate.

  • Alternatives to Regulatory Methods in an Urban Setting (PDF 2.91 MB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - January 1995

    The topic of this seminar was alternatives to regulatory methods in an urban setting. The seminar used examples of non-regulatory methods of achieving planning outcomes used by Napier City.

  • Beware of the Master Plan (PDF 295.84 KB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - September 2004

    This article examines how master plans were used in Christchurch to formulate district plan provisions. It highlights some of the pitfalls which can arise when master plans are relied upon to guide...

  • Beyond Ageing Pipes: Urban Water Systems for the 21st Century

    Published by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment - April 2001

    This follow-up to Ageing Pipes and Murky Waters (PCE June 2000) presents the findings of the PCE's investigation into urban water systems.

  • Curbing the sprawl: Urban growth management in the United States - lessons for New Zealand

    Published by Ministry for the Environment - April 2000

    The Ministry for the Environment's Deputy Chief Executive Lindsay Gow undertook sabbatical study in Minneapolis St Paul, Portland and Seattle to find out how growing metropolitan areas in the US ma...

  • Development Contributions Under LGA (PDF 268.32 KB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - September 2004

    This article provides an overview of how the Palmerston North City Council is using the Local Government Act 2002 to establish its new development contribution policy, which will assist in the fund...

  • Future Directions: Strategic Focus of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment

    Published by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment - August 1997

    The Commissioner's 5-year strategic plan identifies significant ecosystems and several environmental management systems for investigation.

  • Green Field Site Tests Planners (PDF 431.65 KB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - December 1993

    This article describes the development of the new Albany City Centre. The innovative design highlights that the only constraints were the planner's own limitations.

  • Growth Conflict: Developing an Approach to Auckland (PDF 100.08 KB)

    Published by Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand Inc - March 1999

    This article provides a perspective on infrastructure issues faced by the Auckland Region from a practitioner's point of view.

  • Hawke's Bay Expressway: Noise and Air Quality Issues

    Published by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment - July 2005

    This report discusses and evaluates the impacts of the Hawke’s Bay Expressway on people who live close to the road.

  • Integrated Planning and Urban Governance (PDF 0.67 MB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - July 2002

    This paper explores integrated planning, identified as being an essential tool for achieving sustainable development, and its relationship with urban governance. The paper summarises the reforms th...

  • Managing Coastal Development in an Urban Area (PDF 268.09 KB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - December 2000

    North Shore City has consulted widely to develop provisions recognising property owners' concerns. The proposed rules vary over short distances but are more accepted by landowners than previous rules.

  • Managing Growth (PDF 0.75 MB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - December 2002

    Provides an overview of the Auckland Regional Growth Strategy, describes the development and implementation of the Liveable Communities Strategy 2050 and discusses community reactions to this strat...

  • Meeting The Sea Change Challenge: Executive Summary (PDF 208KB)

    Published by National Sea Change Taskforce - December 2005

    Examines the settlement pattern of 'population turnaround' found in Australia recently, where inland populations decline while the urban peripheries and parts of the coast record spectacular growth.

  • Moving Forward with Transit-Oriented Development in New Zealand (PDF 2.84 MB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - December 2006

    Looks at changes in urban form taking place in Portland, Oregon, with transit-orientated development rethinking the way developments are designed, integrating public transport from the start.

  • People, Places, Spaces: A design guide for urban New Zealand

    Published by Ministry for the Environment - June 2001

    This guide provides a broad overview of urban design processes and principles appropriate to New Zealand. It seeks to increase awareness and discussion of the role and value of urban design, what i...

  • Practitioner Information Needs on Urban Sustainability: Survey Report (PDF 113 KB)

    Published by Sustainable Management Fund

    Results of a survey carried out in 2002 asking participants what information they need to practically implement sustainable development in New Zealand.

  • Practitioner Information Needs on Urban Sustainability: Survey Report - Appendices (PDF 161 KB)

    Published by Sustainable Management Fund

    Results of a survey carried out in 2002 asking participants what information they need to practically implement sustainable development in New Zealand.

  • Question of Urban Limits (PDF 198.97 KB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - March 1995

    This article questions why urban development should be permitted only in defined areas. It discusses urban limits and how they are a practical means of promoting sustainable management of a region'...

  • Residential Activity in the Industrial Zone (PDF 0.70 MB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - March 2004

    The huge demand for student accommodation in central Dunedin has led to increased pressure on the current zoning framework, because residential activity is encroaching on the industrial zone. This ...

  • Showing the Way: Curitiba: Citizen City

    Published by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment - July 2002

    This report investigates the Brazilian city Curitiba, which has lifted itself out of tough circumstances by the strength of good design and cohesive political leadership. The results are highly vis...

  • Smart Planning at Work (PDF 1.27 MB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - December 2002

    This article describes the holistic planning approach involving environmental, social and economic considerations, which has been implemented in Chicago and San Francisco. It discusses the urban re...

  • Sustainable Settlements (PDF 181.21 KB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - September 1996

    This is a book review of the guide "Sustainable Settlements," which was produced as part of the local agenda 21 initiative. The guide's aim is to convert the rhetoric of sustainable development in...

  • Sustainable Urban Development: What are the Implications for Planning (PDF 209.52 KB)

    Published by Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand Inc - October 1998

    This article outlines and discusses the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environments report - The Cities and their People: New Zealand's Urban Environment. The report looks at how we make cities...

  • The Cities and their People: New Zealand's Urban Environment

    Published by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment - June 1998

    Focuses on the management of the urban environment and on questions of sustainable development for our towns and cities, and identifies major strategic priorities.

  • Town Planning in New Zealand (PDF 126.68 KB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - December 2002

    This article traces some of the early urban planning endeavours in the period up to World War II, these include the colonial beginnings of New Zealand’s main centres and the early attempts to pas...

  • Unplanning Auckland: from Vogelism to the Automobile City (PDF 0.88 MB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - September 2006

    Ever wondered why Wellington has a better urban rail system than Auckland? Chris Harris delves into the history of public transport and identifies that unfortunate timing and a change in attitudes...

  • Urban Innovation or Fortification? (PDF 482.56 KB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - March 2004

    Gated communities are a relatively new phenomenon in New Zealand and to date have received little attention from central and local government. This article describes gated communities from an inter...

  • Urban Sustainability Question (PDF 475.46 KB)

    Published by New Zealand Planning Institute - June 1992

    This is a keynote address to the NZPI that discusses the idea and practice of sustainability, with particular reference to "the city" and how it, as a way of life, fits into the sustainability fram...

  • Urban Sustainability Worldwide: An Information Resource for Urban Practitioners

    Published by Ministry for the Environment - November 2003

    This publication provides a selection of urban sustainability information (websites, website reports and books) from countries other than New Zealand.

  • Urban Sustainability in New Zealand: An Information Resource for Urban Practitioners (PDF 948 KB)

    Published by Sustainable Management Fund

    A companion to "Urban Sustainability Worldwide" with a practical focus, aimed at assisting urban practitioners create liveable and sustainable towns and cities.

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