New Zealand Urban Design Protocol

The New Zealand Urban Design Protocol was published in March 2005 by the Ministry for the Environment to recognise the importance of urban design to the development of successful towns and cities. The protocol is a voluntary commitment by central and local government, property developers and investors, design professionals, educational institutes and other groups to undertake specific urban design initiatives.

Six Essential Attributes

The protocol identifies six essential attributes that successful towns and cities share;

Competitive places that thrive economically and facilitate creativity and innovation
Liveable places that provide a choice of housing, work and lifestyle options
Environmentally responsible places that manage all aspects of the environment sustainably
Inclusive places that offer opportunities for all citizens
Distinctive places that have a strong identity and sense of place
Well-governed places that have a shared vision and sense of direction.

The protocol is centred on “The Seven Cs”, which are considered the essential design qualities that create urban design;

The New Zealand Urban Design Protocol was prepared with input from the following professionals;

Penny Pirrit, Manager Environmental Planning, Auckland City Council
Robert Tongue, City Architect, Dunedin City Council
Patrick Fontein, Principal, Kensington Properties; President, Auckland Branch of the Property Council of New Zealand
John Sinclair, Consultant, Architectus
Chris McDonald, Senior Lecturer, Victoria University School of Architecture
Ernst Zollner, Lecturer, University of Auckland Department of Planning; Chief Advisor, Strategic and Economic Development, Wellington City Council
Doug Leighton, Principal, Boffa Miskell
Karen Goodall, Executive Director, City for Auckland
David Fox, Managing Director, Fox and Associates
Simon Whiteley, Policy and Strategy Manager, Land Transport New Zealand
John Tocker, Principal, David Jerram Architects
Alison Dalziel, Advisor, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet; Chair of the Sustainable Cities Senior Officials Group

Lindsay Gow, Deputy Chief Executive and Chair of the Urban Design Advisory Group
Luke Troy, Senior Advisor
Yvonne Weeber, Senior Advisor
Frances Lane Brooker, Senior Advisor
Erica Sefton, Senior Advisor