A protocol that both creates and maintains vitality and character in design plans for our towns and cities will be launched today by the Prince of Wales and Environment and Urban Affairs Minister Marian Hobbs.

“The New Zealand Urban Design Protocol is a project that will help create more interesting and user-friendly buildings, places, spaces and transport systems. It is about developing towns and cities that people really appreciate,” Marian Hobbs said.

Eighty organisations across New Zealand have signed up to the Urban Design Protocol – including decision-makers, influencers, architects, developers, planners, and central and local government. Other signatories include investors, infrastructure providers and educational institutes. Representatives will attend the launch at the City Gallery in Wellington.

The protocol will get all the sectors that are involved in urban design working together in a coordinated way for the first time – to share their knowledge and experience, with each other and with our communities. Signatories have agreed to incorporate agreed design principles in their work.

“The Urban Design Protocol, led by the Ministry for the Environment, is a significant milestone in our nation’s urban development. The government is committed to raising the standard of urban design, and is leading this change,” Marian Hobbs said.

“New Zealand is already known all over the world for its breathtaking scenery, but today up to 87 per cent of New Zealanders live in our towns and cities. It would be fantastic if New Zealand also became known for its creative, stimulating and successfully designed towns and cities,” Marian Hobbs said.

“The launch of the protocol is timely, as 2005 is the Year of the Built Environment – which aims to raise awareness about the gains that can be made from improving urban design.”

High resolution images from the Urban Design Protocol launch can be downloaded from www.pressphotos.co.nz for editorial use from 4pm today.

(more)

Urban Design Protocol: Fact sheet

Key features of the Urban Design Protocol include:

·A commitment by signatories to create quality urban design based on seven design principles including:
-ensuring that development fits into the context and character of an area.
-using innovative and imaginative solutions.
-enhancing how different networks link together for people.

·A programme to harness the knowledge and experiences of the various agencies involved in urban design, and to share these learnings across New Zealand at all levels.

·A network of urban design ‘champions’ – leaders in their field – who will work together to improve the quality of urban design across the whole country.

·A range of resources developed by the government to support the protocol, including:
-case studies of successful urban design throughout New Zealand, such as the Beaumont Quarter in Auckland; Botany Downs in Manukau City; the Christchurch Bus Exchange; the New Plymouth foreshore and West Quay in Napier.
-an ‘action pack’ outlining examples of actions that organisations can take to implement the protocol.
-a report showcasing the economic, environmental and social benefits of quality urban design.
-an urban design demonstration project established in Thorndon, Wellington centred on Parliament and government buildings.
-a toolkit covering all the best techniques and practices that deliver quality urban design.

More information:

§The Urban Design Protocol, list of signatories, case studies and action pack are on the Ministry for the Environment website at www.mfe.govt.nz

§For more information about the Year of the Built Environment, see www.ybe.org.nz