New
Zealand Urban Design Protocol
In February of 2005 the Royal Astronomical Society
of New Zealand (RASNZ) became a Sector Organisation Signatory
to the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment's Urban Design Protocol.
The Urban Design Protocol has
the following vision and Mission Statements:
- Vision
Making New Zealand towns and cities more successful through quality
urban design.
- Mission statement
The New Zealand Urban Design Protocol calls for a significant step-up
in the quality of urban design in New Zealand and a change in the way
we think about our towns and cities. As part of a co-ordinated
programme of sustainable development, it aims to ensure New Zealand's
towns and cities are successful places for people.
It will achieve this by:
- creating a national cross-sector commitment
to quality urban design
- providing a national resource of tools,
actions and experiences
- setting up partnerships between government,
the private sector and professionals
- increasing the awareness of quality urban
design and demonstrating its value.
The Urban Design Protocol recognises that:
- towns and cities are complex systems that
require integrated management
- quality urban design is an essential component
of successful towns and cities
- urban design needs to be an integral part of
all urban decision-making
- urban design requires alliances across sectors
and professionals
- urban design applies at all scales, from small
towns to large cities
- urban design has a significant influence on
people and how they live their lives
- our towns and cities are important expressions
of New Zealand's cultural identity including our unique Maori heritage.
The Protocol identifies seven essential
design qualities: (7 C's)
- Context: Seeing that buildings, places and
spaces are part of the whole town or city
- Character: Reflecting and enhancing the
distinctive character, heritage and identity of our urban environment
- Choice: Ensuring diversity and choice for people
- Connections: Enhancing how different networks
link together for people
- Creativity: Encouraging innovative and
imaginative solutions
- Custodianship: Ensuring design is
environmentally sustainable, safe and healthy
- Collaboration: Communicating and sharing
knowledge across sectors, professions and with communities.
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The New Zealand Urban Design Protocol is part of the
Government's Sustainable Development Programme of Action and the Urban
Affairs Portfolio. One of the main aims of the government under this
Programme of Action is decoupling economic growth from pressures on the
environment. The supply and use of energy has always had environmental
consequences.
More recently, the threat of climate change has pushed
energy to a central position in international debate. The questions are
now about:
- the energy we need
- the long-term effects of how we now use energy
- how we will change to more sustainable energy use.
Improving Energy Efficiency And Conservation
Using energy more efficiently, that is, using less
energy for the same amount of production, heating, light and transport,
is a cost-effective way of achieving sustainable development.
At present the overall technical efficiency of energy
use averages 25 per cent. There is scope for ongoing, costeffective
improvements in efficiency across all sectors. These improvements
should deliver immediate and realisable gains for the environment, the
economy and people's welfare.
After detailed consideration within the framework of the
National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, the government
has adopted a target of at least a 20
per cent improvement in economy-wide energy efficiency by
2012.Sustainable Development For
New Zealand Programme Of Action - (PDF Brochure)
The RASNZ has signed the NZ Urban
Design Protocol as a Sector Organisation, and have made the commitment
to:
- Demand quality urban design
- Develop community action projects
- Participate in community engagement forums
- Lead proactive neighbourhood projects
The main aim for the RASNZ, within the protocol, is to
encourage energy saving through efficient and effective outdoor
lighting.
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