Good urban design in its broadest context is significant to all of the region in achieving the quality environment outcomes we seek. More particularly it underpins and supports the good regional form projects identified in the WRS including:
Centres retail
Industrial land
Intensification
Rural residential development
Affordable housing
Integration of landuse and transport needs
Open space
There are three main urban design actions identified in the Wellington Regional Strategy document namely:
1. All councils are signed up to the New Zealand Urban Design protocol
All but one council is signed up. The WRS office and MfE are working with South Wairarapa District Council to support them in considering commitment to the protocol.
2. The development and implementation of a Wellington regional urban design action plan and stocktake
Led by the WRS office and the regional urban design working group, which is made up of representatives from the territorial authorities across the region, Ministry for the Environment and Victoria University, Wellington.
The WRS office (in conjunction with the working group) has compiled this plan, which was signed off by the WRS Committee on 21 July 2009. The plan includes a stocktake of urban design initiatives across the region as at March 2009 as well as the urban design related actions, milestones, and responsibilities for action in 2009. The action plan will be reviewed annually. It is also proposed to hold an annual Wellington regional urban design summit - the first scheduled for mid 2010.
3. Review of subdivision design guides
Kapiti Coast District Council is leading this project. This action is included in the urban design action plan, and is also part of a regional information sharing exercise involving a stocktake and looking at best practice across the Wellington region.
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