15 February 2010 – 12:30 pm
Many New Zealanders want more and better inner-city housing, even if those with kids generally want a bigger house, further out. And Kiwis don’t want urban expansion to continue unchecked. There is strong support for councils limiting urban development, promoting the quality of urban centres, and providing better conditions for the walker and the cyclist.
These are some of the findings in a book on sustainable urban form and transport to be released on Tuesday February 16th.
‘Sizing Up the City: Urban form and transport in New Zealand’ is published by the New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities in Wellington.
Read More »
1 February 2010 – 10:12 am
Strongly related to one of members, Landcare, on Low Impact Urban Development here’s a post by the
The Daily Score :
For years, environmentalists have touted “low-impact development” – letting soil and vegetation soak up heavy rains, rather than channeling storm runoff into gutters and sewers – as the best solution for stormwater. But as it turns out, LID has picked up a whole host of new fans: smart economists, developers, builders, and government regulators are now singing the praises of LIDs as well.
Read More »
22 January 2010 – 6:46 am
Here’s the programme you’ve all been waiting for:
Agenda for day
Tuesday 16 February, 23 A mein St Newtown, Wellington.
There will be a host of speakers, a variety of perspectives and still plenty of time for discussion.
Link to register
Courtesy of the Healthy Community Design News newsletter:
Economic growth associated with less VMT, more transit ridership (Victoria Transport Institute, December 2009).
A new study by the Victoria Transport Policy Institute in Canada finds that gross domestic product (GDP) tends to increase with transit ridership and density, and decline with vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and roadway supply. This essentially validates general analysis on the economic benefits of agglomeration (the value of locating economic activities close together, which is why cities exist) and of a more diverse and efficient transport system (indicated by higher transit ridership).
Read More »
6 January 2010 – 12:46 pm
In the spirit of winding up the last year and considering the new one here are a couple of interesting listy links:
Planetizen releases its ninth annual list of the ten best books in urban planning, design and development published in 2009. This year’s assortment ranges from an impassioned argument for making transit fun to a low-key and practical guide to smart growth.
Looking forward, here’s a link to the Listener article with 20 ideas for a better world by Ruth Laugesen & David Lomas (the full text will be available from 16/01/10). Here imaginative New Zealanders, including our director Philippa Howden-Chapman, share their ideas on how to make the world a better place.
Please feel free to share your top reads or ideas from 2009.
21 December 2009 – 12:21 pm
The Environmental Studies Programme of the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences is pleased to announce an intensive five- week block course, ENVI 529 Sustainable Energy. Read More »
18 December 2009 – 12:55 pm
Email received from Chris Cameron, Wellington City Council.
The recommendations contained within the report of the Climate Change office were passed unanimously by Wellington city council committee on the 3rd of Dec. Read More »
10 December 2009 – 7:38 am
NEW BOOK REVEALS ONGOING HEALTH & SOCIAL COSTS OF LEAKY HOMES
The long-term social costs of leaky buildings constructed following deregulation of the building industry by the National Government in the early 1990s are not just the result of failures in construction.
This first book on the broad effects of the leaky buildings saga in New Zealand, “Do Damp and Mould Matter? Health Impacts of Leaky Homes” is edited by Professor Howden-Chapman, Dr Julie Bennett and Dr Rob Siebers from the Public Health Department at the University of Otago, Wellington.
Professor Howden-Chapman says: “This book examines not only the fundamental reasons for the failure of the building industry in the 1990s, but also the long-term health costs of living in damp and mouldy homes, which are a consequence of this industry failure”.
Flyer
Order here
19 November 2009 – 10:30 am
Public Comment
The following draft Standard is available for you to comment on. The closing date for comment on this draft Standard is 5 February 2010.
DZ 4404, Land development and subdivision Read More »
12 November 2009 – 2:24 pm
Health in context: Place, food and physical activity 11 Feb
Introduces present research projects in these related areas and draws on a mix of methodologies and frameworks.
Growth misconduct? (Can we do better on urban intensification? ) 16 Feb
Speakers and interactive sessions will explore the environmental and social challenges of urban intensification.
Agenda of course for the day.
Housing quality assessment for health and sustainability 17 Feb
Provides an understanding of the core concepts of housing quality (health, safety, and sustainability) and practical methods for measuring these attributes.
See attached flyer for more details and enrolment instructions.
