Urban Design

Woman with pushchair walking through the Pocket Park.

Urban design is the process of making better places by designing buildings, spaces and infrastructure that enhance the function, feel and form of towns and cities.

Good urban design can help improve people's sense of place, pride and security and achieve a higher quality of life, more efficient use of resources and greater economic vitality.

Council has a number of initiatives to promote good urban design in Whangārei. 

Urban Design Protocol

We are a signatory to the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol, an initiative of the Ministry for the Environment which aims to make towns and cities more successful through quality urban design. 

Each signatory appoints an Urban Design Champion to promote quality urban design in the organisation. An Action Plan is submitted and monitored to demonstrate commitment to the Protocol.

You can download a copy of the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol from the Ministry for the Environment.

New Zealand Urban Design Protocols

Urban Design Panel

Our Urban Design Panel provides free advice and recommendations to individuals and developers on the urban design aspects of their proposals. 

The purpose is to help improve the design and viability of projects, increase the viability of an eventual consent application, and at the same time contribute to the enhancement of Whangarei’s urban environment. 

Developers are encouraged to meet with the Urban Design Panel early in the design stage here when a proposed project has significant urban design implications. The earlier the assessment, the greater the benefits will be for the applicant. 

Read more and find out how to apply for a project review:

Urban Design Panel Implementing Guidelines(PDF, 65KB)

Urban Design Panel application(PDF, 113KB)

Urban Design Guides

The Urban Design Guides are a series of documents to assist with resolving Whangārei's urban design issues. They provide a working framework for individuals and developers who are looking to invest in projects within the urban centres of Whangārei.

Urban Design guidelines

The urban design guidelines aim to improve the quality of residential and commercial development in Whangārei

Urban Design Guidelines

Urban Design Strategy

Our Urban Design Strategy called 'Making great places to shape our future' sets out an overall visionary statement for Whangārei in terms of the urban design intentions, design principles and implementing mechanisms.

Urban Design Strategy

Living Roof Guide

Living roofs, walls and facades are becoming increasingly common in cities throughout the world. The purpose of this guide is to highlight the multitude of economic, social and environmental benefits that these living systems can provide to Whangārei - improving outcomes for its people, land, water, nature and visitors.

Living Roof Guide

 

  

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