29 September 2005
100th signatory commits to protocol on urban design

The New Zealand Urban Design Protocol has received its 100th signatory.

“It is great to have Antanas Procuta Architects of Hamilton as the 100th organisation, signing up to achieve quality urban design in New Zealand,“ Lindsay Gow, Ministry for the Environment’s deputy chief executive said today.

The Urban Design Protocol is a government-led project to create more interesting and user-friendly buildings, places, spaces and transport. The protocol aims to get all urban design sectors working together, sharing their knowledge and experience with each other and with our communities.

David Pronger, planner with Antanas Procuta Architects said the company was happy to be 100th on the signatory list.

“We are committed to incorporating good urban design principles locally but having the support of, and the opportunity to contribute to the wider collective effort in the signatory network is extremely important,” David Pronger said.

The 100 signatories to the protocol include a large number of New Zealand’s city councils, several property developers, key professional institutes, universities, as well as individual planning, consultancy and architecture firms such as Antanas Procuta.

“The real key in changing the way our towns and cities work is in the action plans the signatories are presently preparing,” Lindsay Gow said. “Most of our initial signatories have submitted their action plans and it is encouraging to see a comprehensive range of proposals already underway. Action plans are the next step in the ongoing learning and sharing process that the Protocol promotes.”

The Urban Design Protocol, led by the Ministry for the Environment, is a significant milestone in New Zealand’s urban development. This year is also the Year of the Built Environment which focuses on a range of activities to raise awareness about the gains that can be made from improving urban design.

ENDS

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