18 October 2005

Action packed plan provides direction for urban design

Auckland City Council's strong focus on urban design is continuing with the adoption of an action plan, which will direct council's urban design work programme over the coming year.

Councillor Christine Caughey, chairperson of the Environment, Heritage and Urban Form Committee, says the action plan sets an exciting path for urban design in the city.

"This council is working hard to ensure good urban design in Auckland city. This involves both changes to council policy and how we work with others to implement these changes. This is an assertive and action packed plan that will provide strong focus over the coming months and ensure good urban design is put into practice," she says.

The action plan sets out a range of activities under the following categories:

* championing urban design and raising awareness
* developing strategy and policy
* forward planning
* being a good client
* making decisions
* exchanging information and research
* integrating management
* building capacity.

The Ministry for the Environment's New Zealand Urban Design Protocol suggested a range of actions in line with these categories for local government. As a signatory to the protocol, Auckland City had an obligation to submit an action plan to the ministry.

The actions outlined in the plan include those recommended by the Mayoral taskforce on urban design as well as those already in the work programme and the 2004 Citywide Urban Design Strategy.

ENDS

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