The future of parks and green open space provision in Auckland: A critical review of the planning framework

Abstract

Through an assessment of the plans, policies and legislation that guides Auckland Council to provide parks and green open spaces in Auckland, this dissertation aims to answer the following question: How will Auckland Council ensure an equitable provision of parks and green open spaces in Auckland, despite intensification? Based on a review of the literature, the importance of public green open space for social, recreation, health, economic and ecological functions in urban areas is revealed. Not only are parks an important feature of the democratic landscape, but also a place for refuge, for climate change mitigation and for attracting business. On the other hand, there are inherent market failures in providing public open space, which motivated planning intervention into the private land market to provide these spaces. Quantitative standards for the provision of parks are introduced and tested as a means to guide decision-making and continual assessment of the provision and distribution of parks in Auckland. Significant population growth is expected in Auckland over the next 20 years, creating pressure for higher density development to occur within existing urban areas. Maps prepared by Auckland Council expose that areas identified with deficiency in parks provision have been zoned for intensification, threatening the quality of life in these areas. Based on a conventional rational public policy process, the planning framework in Auckland is extensively critiqued, including the governance structure, and plans and policies adopted since the amalgamation of Auckland Council in 2009 for the provision of parks. The findings revealed that there are inconsistencies between related policies and strategies, a lack of clarification of key concepts, and an absence of any measurable benchmark, neither in the form of standards of provision or alternative approaches. The Auckland Council is better equipped to provide green open spaces in greenfield developments than in existing urban areas, which will exacerbate the current problem of an inequitable distribution of parks. Fortunately, many alternative and complimentary approaches exist that could be used to strengthen the existing planning framework and lead to positive outcomes for the acquisition and retention of an interconnected network of parks and green open spaces in Auckland in the future.