Urban Design Protocol supports work underway
by local government

8 March 2005

Local government supports the Urban Design Protocol, officially launched in Wellington today by the Prince of Wales and the Minister for the Environment and Urban Affairs, Hon Marian Hobbs.

Local Government New Zealand is a signatory to the Protocol which will benefit our communities by making cities and towns more user-friendly places through better quality design of public places and of the way private places interact with the public realm.

Basil Morrison, President, Local Government New Zealand states that the concept of urban design is not just about the way our buildings look or how a place feels, it is about the way we use our entire cities and towns, creating and utilising parks or other public areas and transport systems that complement each other for the benefit of communities.

“We are fully supportive of the Urban Design Protocol and know that it will add value to the work already being carried out by councils in the area of urban design. Councils are responsible for planning our towns and cities, designing effective infrastructure and ensuring there are enough parks and open spaces for everyone to enjoy. The Protocol is another tool for local government to use in its everyday work,” said Mr Morrison.

“I am pleased to see so many other organisations and businesses have signed up to the Protocol. It’s important that the Protocol is recognised by people like architects and developers as well as central and local government.”

The Urban Design Protocol, led by the Ministry for the Environment, aims to get all sectors that are involved in urban design working together in a coordinated way. It allows for knowledge and experience sharing and signatories have agreed to incorporate certain design principles into their work.

For further information about the Urban Design Protocol, list of signatories, case studies and action packs see www.mfe.govt.nz

ENDS

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