Sustainability montage image.

The Centre for Sustainable Cities is an inter-disciplinary research centre dedicated to providing the research base for innovative solutions to the economic, social, environmental and cultural development of our urban centres.

87% of New Zealanders live in cities.

The health and well-being of a significant proportion of our population is reliant on developing environments that take into account the connections between transport, design, energy, health and governance and other issues.

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News and Events: Browse by Category.

Growth misconduct? Can we do better on urban intensification. Summer School 16th February 2010

On the 16th February 2010, the Centrefor Sustainable Cities held the Summer School day.  This was a well received day with contributions from the following presenters: Read More »

“Sustainable Home and Garden Show” 27 and 28 March 2010. Paraparaumu, Kapiti Coast.

Mark your calendar now – New Zealand’s premier sustainability event is on again soon.  The Kapiti Coast Sustainable Home and Garden Show is taking place on 27 and 28 March at Kapiti Primary School.    This event continues to grow in stature and popularity – with over 10,000 plus visitors and 80 vendors expected to attend this year.    Read More »

Seminar: Local Renewable Energy Policies and Actions: Global Survey and Prospects for New Zealand

Wellington Lecture:
Tuesday, 30 March, 1.00-3.00pm
Small Lecture Theatre, Wellington School of Medicine, 23A Mien St,  Newtown, Wellington

Auckland Lecture:
Friday, 26th March, 12-1.30pm
Massey- SHORE
Level 7, 90 Symonds Street, Auckland

Dr. Martinot is the lead author of the widely-used REN21 Renewables Global Status Report and a prominent international expert on renewable energy.  He is senior research director at the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies in Tokyo, teaching and research associate of Tsinghua University in Beijing, and teaching and research fellow at Victoria University of Wellington.

Wellington Flyer
Auckland Flyer
 

Statistics NZ, Apartment Dwellers: 2006 Census Report

Apartment Dwellers: 2006 Census reports on the people who live in apartments in the three main cities of New Zealand. It compares and contrasts the characteristics of inner city and non-inner city apartment dwellers within each city and analyses particular aspects of the apartments themselves. Read More »

Auckland – consultation documents

You have until 5pm on 26 March 2010 to comment on the CCO and Local Board structure proposals for Auckland. You can find the local board discussion document here and the Council Controlled Organisation discussion documents here.

Feedback is to be sent to Auckland Transition Agency, PO Box 99394, Newmarket 1149, Auckland.

New Ebook released by Landcare Research – Hatched

It’s a collection of research findings, stories and tools exploring five key areas of capacity required for New Zealand’s long-term success. It covers innovative research undertaken with businesses, across policy sectors, communities and individuals and was funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.

Link to Hatched
Media release

For whom the city? Housing and locational preferences in New Zealand

Nick Preval, Ralph Chapman & Philippa Howden-Chapman

 ‘Sizing up the City’  covers a range of issues. This chapter reports on a survey which found that most people (54%) think that urban limits are necessary so that cities develop more sustainably (15% disagree). By 2 to 1, New Zealanders thought councils (rather than market forces) should have the key role in defining the limits of the city. Read More »

Cities and Climate Change Action Reports

Here are two recently released OECD review papers on cities and climate change action:

- OECD (2009) Cities, Climate Change and Multilevel Governance
- OECD (2009) Competitive Cities and Climate Change

Link

Climate change & human health:Impact & adaptation issues for New Zealand

This paper briefly summarises the likely impacts of climate change on health, globally, but focuses on adaptive measures that might be undertaken in New Zealand.

Climate change & human health PDF

Book Launch: Sizing up the City

On Tuesday Evening 16th February 2010 we launched “Sizing up the City; Urban Form and Transport”. The book collects and expands on papers presented at the February 2009 Summer School.  It includes the latest research and thinking on sustainable transport and our built environment as well as experiences from councils trying to create more sustainable cities.

“Sizing up the City” book order form

5% More Cyclists Save $200m
just one of the messages in the book was spelt out by local cyclists at the launch linking the book to the BikeWise Challenge “On your Bike” month of February. 

from left to right: Andy Foster (WCC), Celia Wade-Brown (WCC),Jude Ball (Frocks on Bikes), Annette King (MP, Labour), Kevin Hague (MP, Greens)

Photo Kevin Hague at book Launch.
Photo Cyclists group

Link to Cycling Advocates Network CAN