Eco-district development in Auckland: How climate sensitive design can contribute to making a model sustainable district in Auckland

Abstract

The aim of this study is to look at what climate change is, how its caused and how it impacts globally as well as locally. It is a study for New Zealand, and as such will focus on New Zealand’s contribution to climate change as well as the impact of climate change here, specifically, in Auckland, which is the largest city in New Zealand, as well as the fastest growing city. Auckland faces the challenges of rapid growth, housing shortages, increased commercialisation and governmental influence. The growth of Auckland presents an opportunity for New Zealand to be a leader in eco-district development by utilising the knowledge of what has worked for others and adapting it for use here. The methodology of this study is to review climate change, its impact on New Zealand and Auckland and what key factors need to be addressed. It will look at how a whole systems design approach for creating more sustainable, low carbon city districts has been addressed globally and what design responses could be used in an Auckland eco-district model. Relevant precedent studies of global district development are reviewed as well as critically evaluating the existing new Auckland districts of Hobsonville Point and Wynyard Quarter. By evaluating these current solutions against global best practice the principles for eco-district development which could be applied to Auckland can be developed. The key findings are that Auckland is lagging the rest of the world both in the way in which sustainable design is legislated, as well as the targets it is following for all aspects of development particularly density and resource efficiency. To date, the government and local bodies have put little emphasis on climate sensitive design in the draft Auckland Unitary Plan or provide any robust framework or legislation. The benefit of a climate sensitive design model which can be applied to any district development at urban level is that it can potentially create a resilient model allowing each neighbourhood to be autonomous as they can supply their own energy as well as manage their own water and waste. This will put less pressure on the existing infrastructure of the city and reduce CO2 emissions.