The pressure on our land from increasing development within many of NZ’s cities remains strong, predominantly from an increasing population resulting from strong migration.  As a consequence, land is predominantly being released for development on the periphery of our cities, resulting in further urban sprawl and the building of more monotonous low-density suburban neighbourhoods.  Discussion around intensification and higher density is starting to heat up, so it is timely to re-assess our approach to the built environment and consider how intensification can be successfully undertaken to promote liveable neighbourhoods.  To prevent further sprawl and the associated short and long-term costs, intensification is a must, and in my opinion, can be achieved through a comprehensive design approach that promotes mixed use, green buildings and in particular, incorporates green roof design to provide better urban and environmental outcomes.

If we consider Auckland’s new Unitary Plan, this demands a further 400,000 new residential homes be built in the next 30 years, but recognises the need for neighbourhood intensification as part of the solution.  To achieve this the Plan focuses on the need for a more compact city that increases the number of homes built in urban areas, and in particular, is focused around centres and transport corridors while achieving a high quality urban design outcome.

The new Plan sets the shift from low-density suburbia to intensified neighbourhoods, although applying the Plan will require a lot of politics to be sorted in how Council will apply the principles of high quality urban design, as it appears to rely on discretionary decision based on objectives and policy rather than rules. 

To achieve liveable, community orientated higher density development a comprehensive and collaborative design approach solution will be paramount.  I believe it will provide opportunities for landscape architects to be involved in delivering ‘green architecture’ through the use of green roofs to help achieve sustainable and desirable living environments.  As our cities are increasingly becoming drivers of national economy the change in approach to the quality of built environment will be key for cities like Auckland to become the ‘world’s most liveable city’ with ‘healthy, stimulating and beautiful environments’.  This then requires well designed built environments that respond to create dynamic and desirable places that can attract visionary businesses and a smarter workforce that want to live in quality environments.