18 August 2005 Media Statement

International experts share lessons on urban design

Two top international urban design practitioners from the UK are in New Zealand this week to talk about ways in which the quality of urban environments can be improved.

"We are delighted to have Richard Simmons from the influential Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and Hank Dittmar, from the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment, to share with us their experience and knowledge in this field," Lindsay Gow, deputy chief executive of the Ministry for the Environment said.

Richard Simmons and Hank Dittmar are keynote speakers at the Urbanism Down Under conference opening in Wellington today. Richard Simmons will also speak at a series of workshops being organised by the Ministry for urban design ‘champions’ from all the signatories of the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol.

"Champions’ workshops on the 22 and 23 August in Wellington and Auckland are the first step in forming a network of urban design enthusiasts across local and central government, the private sector, universities and professional institutes," Lindsay Gow said.

"We hope, by bringing these high calibre speakers to New Zealand, to stimulate debate and provide inspiration and ideas for all of us to significantly raise the standard of design in our towns and cities."

The three-day Urbanism Down Under conference has attracted some 450 delegates, more than 60 speakers and nine keynote speakers from the US, UK, Canada and Australia. It provides a unique forum to debate critical urban issues as they affect New Zealand and Australian cities.

The conference is a highlight of New Zealand’s Year of the Built Environment 2005. (As well as the workshops, other activities coinciding with the Wellington conference include an arts exhibition and a state housing design competition - Housing New Zealanders 100 Years On.

ENDS

Bio Notes on Richard Simmons

Richard Simmons is chief executive of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) in the UK. CABE is a publicly funded body that has been a major force behind recent improvements in the quality of buildings and spaces in the UK. Its major programmes include researching urban strategies and approaches, reviewing the quality of development schemes and building capacity in other organisations through training and project assistance.

Before joining CABE, Richard held senior positions in local government and in regeneration delivery organisations including Dalston City Challenge and the London Docklands Development Corporation.

For more information, visit http://www.cabe.org.uk/about/RichardSimmons.html

Bio Notes on Hank Dittmar

Hank Dittmar became chief executive of the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment in January 2005. The Foundation is an educational charity established by Prince Charles to teach and demonstrate the principles of traditional urban design and architecture, including putting people and communities at the heart of the design process.

As well as developing the model town of Poundbury, in Dorset, the Foundation is working with local government and communities to deliver more sustainable urban extensions, and is promoting the use of its participatory ‘Enquiry by Design’ tool.

Hank is also Chair of the Congress of New Urbanism, an international body that promotes compact, walkable, mixed-use urban areas.

Hank’s previous roles have included President and CE of ‘Reconnecting America’, a non-profit organisation focused on building communities around public transport and walking, and outreach worker among Chicago’s inner city street gangs.

For more information visit http://www.princes-foundation.org/aboutus.html

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