Here’s an excerpt from the Hon. Dr. Smith’s speech to the NZ Planning Institute Conference on 8 May:
Urban Design
“Another area of focus is urban design. I am not certain at this stage what shape a National Policy Statement on urban design should have and how this will deliver better results. I am also watching the development of the Auckland One City approach before I get too far into setting out the vision for urban design.
To make a success of urban design planning and to build on the Urban Design Protocol, I need to achieve greater connections between government departments. We need Building and Housing, Economic Development, Transport, Local Government and Internal Affairs who add the community factor to be working in synchronisation on this work.
I would like more research done to examine the viability of setting city limits and land supply and affordability issues. We need to see better coordination of urban development projects.”
