Urban design funding approved

Auckland City Council’s Combined Committees today approved $50,000 on an ongoing basis for additional urban design resources and requested that Auckland city staff investigate establishing an urban design unit within council.

The approved funding will be used to employ an urban design specialist in Auckland City Environments to work with developers on major proposals with a view to achieving better design.

Much of this work will be targeted at the pre-application stage when council has the greatest opportunity to influence design.

The council has established a range of urban design improvements in the city over the past two of years. These include the introduction of: precinct planning and related design guidelines within the central business district (CBD) an Urban Design Panel which assess applications to council for development approval urban design guidelines in mixed-use zones, and the development of urban design guidelines for high-density development within residential zones.

“Urban design is a paramount issue for council. This funding approval and subsequent staff appointment will increase the capacity and specialisation of the urban design team, and streamline the application and assessment process for developers and council staff,” says Councillor Juliet Yates, chairperson, City Development Committee.

“Establishing this new position is in line with council’s vision that the Auckland CBD be recognised as a high quality urban development, and the council’s strategy to revitalise the CBD into one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic business and cultural centres,” she says.

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