From Principles to Practice: An exploration of the efficacy of the Auckland Unitary Plan in implementing intended Urban Design outcomes in West Auckland

Abstract

Over the last decade Auckland has experienced unprecedented levels of population growth leading to considerable discord between central and local governments over how best to manage the resultant urban development pressures. Evolving from both central and local government interventions, the Auckland Unitary Plan positions ‘quality compact urban growth’ as the most efficient strategy to allocate land use, infrastructure and services in a manner which provides for Aucklanders’ social, economic and environmental well-being. This strategy is consistent with international trends towards smart growth management and resonates with the urban design concepts such as Transit-Oriented Development which aim to guide urban growth and change in a manner that negotiates outcomes which are the best for people. Motivated by an observed disparity between the urban design intentions of the Auckland Unitary Plan and the urban development being undertaken in Auckland neighbourhoods, this study explores the efficacy with which the Auckland Unitary Plan 2020 implements its ‘quality compact urban form’ strategy. This research uses a design-based exercise to test the possible urban design responses to the Auckland Unitary Plan within the parameters of a case-study project. This exercise has been complemented by the thematic analysis of interviews with key actors involved in the case-study development process. Findings from this study illuminate the drivers limiting the efficacy of the Auckland Unitary Plan strategy, and hint at a need for an ideological shift within the built environment disciplines. Further research is needed to substantiate the findings and address the appetite for dependable insight into the effectiveness and limitations of our current approach.