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Urban Intensification Taskforce

The purpose of the Urban Intensification Taskforce is to  propose a way forward for achieving better urban intensification outcomes for New Zealand and, in particular, the Auckland region.

Background

During the Building and Construction Sector Leaders forum on 1 August 2008, a number of issues were identified, including:

  • pressure on land use will continue to drive urban intensification – and that urbanisation is an issue for all New Zealand cities, not just Auckland and that:
    • there are not enough large scale intensification projects currently underway or planned to cope with future needs within current urban boundaries
    • the quality of urban intensification to date, in delivering sustainable urban environments, has been patchy and generally poor

To develop practical proposals to address the above issues it was decided to establish an Urban Intensification Taskforce to develop proposals to improve current approaches to planning and coordination in support of improved urban development.  

Members

The Urban Intensification Taskforce consists of industry, local and regional government, and central government leaders:

  • Richard Harris - Chair (President, New Zealand Institute of Architects; Director, Jasmax)
  • Martin Udale (Chief Executive, McConnell Property)
  • John Coop (Director, Warren & Mahoney)
  • Ian Cassells (Director, The Wellington Company)
  • Ernst Zollner (General Manager, Strategy and Performance, NZ Transport Agency)
  • Peter Winder (Chief Executive,  Auckland Regional Council)
  • Ree Anderson (Director Environment, Manakau City Council)
  • John Duthie (General Manager, City Development, Auckland City Council)
  • Lesley McTurk (Chief Executive, Housing NZ Corporation)
  • Anne Carter (Deputy Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs)
  • Suzanne Townsend (Deputy Chief Executive, Sector Policy, Department of Building and Housing)
  • Martyn Pinckard (General Manager, Sustainable Business Group,  Ministry for the Environment)

Taskforce report

The Urban Taskforce, chaired by the President of the NZ Institute of Architects and the Chair of Jasmax, Richard Harris,  identified ways to improve urban development by removing barriers, and reducing the cost, of quality urban development projects.