Urban Planning stories
The Waimakariri District Council’s red-zone recovery work has been recognised as best in the Commonwealth for helping rebuild earthquake-hit communities.
Crowds at New Year’s Eve and major events are prompting calls for hidden anti-ram barriers and bollards to secure open public spaces.
The honour also highlighted Beca colleagues and future talent, with two young engineers recognised and a diversity network making the finals.
Europe’s rise in skyscraper design was underlined as Emporis named Macau’s MGM Cotai the year’s top tower for its layered form.
With 2.5 billion more people heading for cities, planners are eyeing stacked mixed-use towers as a way to save space and build community.
House price growth is expected to remain modest as easing lending conditions and strong migration support demand, but listings stay tight.
Australia faces a 1 percent of GDP infrastructure gap as rapid city growth, labour shortages and slower productivity strain new projects.
Urban developers face rising pressure to add renewable power, fibre and automation as tenants demand cheaper, smarter services.
Poor housing outcomes and pressure on infrastructure could deepen unless councils, central government and industry align on urban growth planning.
Auckland could gain valuable waterfront land and Northland secure a major jobs boost if the freight port is shifted, but the bill is likely to run to billions.
Questions over Auckland's airport rail spending have intensified as Aeromovel is pitched as a way to slash costs and delivery time dramatically.
Three-quarters of industry leaders want central and local government to overhaul how they work, amid warnings that infrastructure delivery is lagging.
A new report says devolving housing and transport could improve delivery, while central government keeps most tax revenue and oversight.
After earthquakes, managers could know within minutes whether buildings are safe, cutting weeks of waiting for engineering reports.
Thousands of New Zealanders could be spared waterborne illness as a new regulator extends oversight to all suppliers and tighter standards.
Businesses and environmental groups say the overhaul could finally fix a dated system unable to handle growth, housing pressure and climate risks.
New dwelling consents are still climbing despite labour and materials constraints, with Auckland’s smaller homes now outpacing standalone houses for the first time.
Auckland’s more permissive zoning is helping ease prices, widen lending and give first-time buyers a better shot at home ownership.
Poor planning is driving up housing costs and holding back productivity, according to Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Stephen Selwood.
Auckland’s housing shortfall is worsening as consent and completion numbers slip, raising pressure on ministers to speed up land release.
