AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE

27 April 2007

New urban design rules for the CBD

The Auckland City Council has approved new planning controls, which aim to improve the standard of urban design and development in the city's CBD.

The new controls set minimum standards for apartments and introduce design-based criteria for developments in the CBD, including the western part of the CBD known as the Victoria Quarter.

The chairperson of the Urban Strategy and Governance Committee, Deputy Mayor Dr Bruce Hucker, says the two plan changes (Plan Change 1 and 2) are a major step forward.

"These new controls are all about ridding our city of poor quality design and pokey apartments.

"In particular, these new rules should boost the overall quality of inner city life. It's about creating a quality built environment that meets the needs of those who live, work and play in our city."

The chairperson of the Planning and Regulatory Committee, Councillor Glenda Fryer, says the changes include stringent urban design criteria and guidelines.

"Developers wanting to build apartments in the CBD or those wanting to build in the Victoria Quarter will have to abide by these new urban design criteria and guidelines.

"The council has no tolerance for poor quality urban design and these new controls mean we now have the ability to stop poor developments in their tracks.

"We're committed to transforming the CBD so that it becomes a vibrant and dynamic business and cultural centre. Clearly, improving the quality of urban design and development is a key component of that vision."

The hearing commissioners noted that the two plan changes had "been generally well received by the community" and that they sought to implement a "design-based approach" to built form throughout the central area in a bid to "introduce standards to ensure residential amenity is maintained or enhanced."

Specifically, Plan Change 2 introduces minimum standards for apartments, including: * minimum gross floor area: studio 35m², one bed 45m², two bed 70m², three + bed 90m² * minimum daylight standards, a total clear glazed area of exterior wall no less than 20 per cent of the floor area of that space * maximum number of studios and one bedroom units in any one development.

These standards will apply in conjunction with detailed urban design principles outlining architectural guidelines.

Plan Change 1 covering the Victoria Quarter, will allow for the improved transition of development for the Nelson/Hobson Street ridge to the western CBD fringe.

It also introduces new urban design criteria against which all developments in the area will be judged. These include: * high quality and durable building design that relates to the context of the area * allowing for site links and access ways * attractive, active safe streets and public open spaces * sustainable building and site design * adequate internal and external amenity for building occupants.

Dr Hucker says the Victoria Quarter plan change will allow for improved development in this area, while also accommodating growth in the area.

The two plan changes are now subject to an appeal period before becoming part of the council's operative district plan.

ENDS

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