Quality
Breadth and Depth of Skills
We believe it is necessary to test knowledge in new situations with different priorities. Only then can urban design skills be flexible enough to respond to the changing conditions in our cities.
Articles
Our work and techniques are regularly featured in professional magazines and journals. Below are several recent articles featuring:
Our thoughts on the impact of Covid-19:
- An opportunity for agility, insight and innovation (as published in Planning Quarterly Magazine) PDF 746KB
Professional Development:
- ‘Urban Choreographer‘ PDF (915KB)
- ‘Advancing urban design learning’ PDF (719KB)
- ‘Earning the Profession’s Respect’ (Landscape Architecture New Zealand) PDF (237KB)
Our approach to Transport Specific Urban Design:
- Transport as a Tool for Transformation (as published in NZ Local Government Magazine) PDF 401MB
This article included reference to the following documents:
- Transport Specific Urban Design 4.15MB
- The East West Link Process PDF 4.17MB
Our approach to earthquake strengthening buildings as a tool for regeneration:
- Earthquake Strengthening can be a tool for regeneration (as published in New Zealand Planning Quarterly) PDF11.4MB
Urbanismplus’ methods to approach the nexus between urban design, economics, and politics:
- Urban Economics By Design Down Under (as published in Local Economy) PDF 1MB
Urbanismplus’ innovative techniques for local authorities to achieve more with less resources:
- Sustainable urbanism, financial prudence and investment (as published in Urban Design and Planning, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers) PDF 1MB
- LGA changes need care (as published in NZ Local Government Magazine) PDF (739KB)
- Balancing austerity with growth (as published in NZ Local Government Magazine) PDF (1.15MB)
Our unique approach to delivering sustainable urbanism:
- ‘Need-To-Have trumps Nice-To-Have‘ (Christchurch earthquake strategy as published in Planning Quarterly) PDF (590KB)
- ‘Team approach to urban design’ (As published in Urban Magazine) PDF (945KB)
- ‘Strengthening social dimensions in urban design’ (As published in Urban Magazine) PDF (856KB)
Urbanismplus staff share their experiences of the University of Auckland’s Master of Urban Design programme:
- ‘Evaluating post-graduate training in urban design’ (Urban Magazine) PDF (705KB)
- ‘Graduate perspectives’ (Urban Magazine) PDF (1.9MB)
Evidence based commentary on the potential of centres-based residential intensification:
- Residential Growth Planning and the Tyranny of Distance (Complete professional paper) PDF (444KB)
- Residential Growth Planning and the Tyranny of Distance (As published in Urban magazine) PDF (747KB)
The implications of transport planning on urban form:
- Liveable Arterials in Auckland City (Urban Design Group Journal) PDF (941KB)
- Liveable Arterials in Auckland City: Integrating Transport Model Outputs with Other Objectives (Planning Quarterly) PDF (1.39MB)
- Looking Forwards… but Thinking Backwards (Urban Magazine) PDF (994KB)
Guidance
We have initiated, developed and contributed to technical guidance for urban planning and design throughout New Zealand. Several examples are featured below:
- Good Solutions Guide for Medium Density Housing PDF (1.93MB)
This guide has been designed to assist developers, designers, architects, planners and builders plan, design and build better quality medium density housing developments. It looks at ways to improve and enhance the initial site design, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of various house types, and suggests ways of improving the design of specific building elements. The guide also suggests a variety of ways to improve the overall visual character of this type of development
- People+Places+Spaces PDF (2.22MB)
The purpose of this guide is to give all people interested in more liveable and prosperous urban areas – professionals, councillors, business people and the wider community – a taste of what urban design is, and how to achieve better urban design. Urban design aims to make our towns and cities more economically prosperous, socially inclusive and environmentally friendly, while also making them look and work better for people.
The Kapiti Coast District Council engaged Urbanismplus to help it advance best practice guidance to its community for Medium Density Housing, Residential Subdivision, and Streetscape Strategy and Design. The Residential Subdivision guideline was the recipient of the RMLA Documentation Award in 2007.
Master Class
Kobus Mentz and the Urbanismplus team regularly contribute to and lead ‘master classes’ and workshops for built environment professionals and local government officers and Councillors. Featured here is the record of a master class delivered by internationally recognised urban planner Larry Beasley, with support from Kobus Mentz of Urbanismplus and Christine Ralph of Beca.
NZPI Best Practice Award – Integrated Planning and Practices
2017 NZPI Best Practice Award – Transport for Future Urban Growth Strategy Production Process
NSW Local Government Excellence Award for PARTNERSHIP IN GROWTH
NSW Local Government Excellence Award for Partnership in Growth. Awarded to Lismore City Council in 2015.
NORTHERN RIVERS BUSINESS AWARD – EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION
2014 Lismore City Council – Buy Local Project, developed in a process facilitated by Urbanismplus
NZPI Best Practice Award – Consultation and Participation Strategies
2012 Christchurch City Council – Sydenham and Lyttelton Master Plans
Property Council of Australia Award for ‘Best Master Planned Community’
2011 MAB Corporation, Urbanismplus, Hassell Pty Ltd and Contour Consultants – University Hill Master Plan, Whittlesea
NZPI Nancy Northcroft Planning Practice Award – Highly Commended
2011 Marlborough District Council ‘Growing Marlborough’ A unique growth strategy
Urban Development Institute of Australia Award for Excellence
2010 MAB Corporation, Urbanismplus, Hassell Pty Ltd and Contour Consultants – University Hill Master Plan, Whittlesea
NZPI Nancy Northcroft Planning Practice Award – Highly Commended
2009 Auckland City Council and Urbanismplus – Auckland City Liveable Arterials Plan
NZPI Nancy Northcroft Planning Practice Award – Highly Commended
2009 Wellington City Council and Urbanismplus ‘Adelaide Road – Planning for the future: A long-term vision for growth and development’
RMLA Documentation Award
2008 Queenstown Lakes District Council and Mount Cardrona Station Ltd – Mount Cardrona Station urban design concept, masterplan and strategy produced by Urbanismplus