Auckland Council Set to Champion Quality Urban Design

Auckland Council is being asked to commit to stronger support of urban design principles with the appointment of council and local board urban design champions.

The Planning and Urban Design Forum has recommended that the council also be a signatory to the Ministry for the Environment Urban Design Protocol.

The protocol urges that quality urban design is top-of-mind in all relevant decisions and members must commit to an urban design action plan setting out how they will promote and achieve good urban design.

Councillor Cameron Brewer, chairperson of the forum, is recommended as the political urban design champion to join Ludo Campbell–Reid, the council’s manager of Environmental Strategy and Policy, as the council’s officer design champion.

Each of the 21 local boards in Auckland would also be invited to appoint their own urban design champion.

“Good urban design will be a critical element in realising the Mayor’s vision to make Auckland the world’s most liveable city,” says Councillor Brewer.

“These actions, along with other recent initiatives, including boosting the urban design panel and the introduction of pedestrian-friendly shared spaces, put Auckland at the forefront of urban design in Australasia. We’re positioning ourselves as no longer in catch-up mode, but a leader.”

He added: “We would ensure that our new champions received training in urban design principles to optimise their effectiveness.”

The forum’s recommendations will be referred to the Regional Planning and Operations Committee for endorsement.

ENDS

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