Spatial Planning & Urban Design

Campbell Jensen Ministry for the Environment Auckland, New Zealand Spatial Planning and Urban Design Seminar 2 September 2010

Overview
What is spatial planning? Why a spatial plan for Auckland? Current consideration of spatial planning

What is Spatial Planning?

It is not land use planning in drag

It is not a regional masterplan or blueprint laid down as the ten commandments

It is Collaborative - focusing on outcomes and achieving shared goals

It is Integration of placed based policy and decisions

Auckland Regional Spatial Plan

Key Functions
Articulate long-term (20 30yr) vision / strategic direction Provide an evidence base Facilitate effective participation Align implementation, regulatory and investment plans Integrate competing policy goals Co-ordinate and facilitate agreement between parties in regional growth

a multi-party a tool for collaboration between the key decision-makers. It is about achieving shared goals, and having a greater focus on outcome focused on the long-term development of cities and regions and providing investment certainty. A guide to the location and timing of future infrastructure, services and investment. Evidence based.

Land Use Planningv vs Spatial Planning

VS

Purpose
Land Use Planning Spatial Planning

Regulating land use and development Shaping development in places by through identifying areas of development coordinating the impacts policy and and protection, and applying decisions by various parties and groups performance criteria in a place

Form
Land Use Planning
A list of policies and rules to regulate land use for a place.

Spatial Planning
A strategy identifying critical spatial development issues and defining clear desired outcomes. Visualisation of spatial goals, and key areas of change. Principles and objectives that will guide coordinated action.

Mapping of areas and sites for development purposes and protection

Process
Land Use Planning Spatial Planning

Discrete process leading to adoption of a Continuous process of plan review and final blueprint plan. adjustment.

Confrontational process, instigated through consultation on draft plans and political negotiation.
Stakeholders using the process to protect and promote their interests

Mutual learning and information sharing, driven by debate on alternatives in collaborative political process.
Stakeholders using the process to achieve their own and mutual goals.

Methods
Land Use Planning
Mapping of constraints and collecting together the policy demands of various sectors. Bargaining and negotiation with objectors and other stakeholders, informed by broad planning principles. Checking of proposals through environmental / resource management assessment.

Spatial Planning
Building understanding of critical spatial development trends and drivers, market demands and needs, and the social, economic and environmental impacts of development. Analysis of options through visioning and strategic choice approaches. Generation of alternatives and options assisted by sustainability appraisal/strategic environmental assessment.

Delivery & Implementation

Land Use Planning
Seeks to direct change and control investment activity in land use through prescriptive regulation, while avoiding, mitigating or remedying adverse effect through conditions and agreements.

Spatial Planning
Seeks to influence decisions in other sectors by building joint ownership of the strategy, a range of incentives and other mechanisms including land use regulation and planning agreements.

Urban Design & Spatial Planning

Spatial planning sets out the existing and future skeleton of the region to which finer detail urban design projects will connect

Spatial planning is part of the decision making framework for urban design Urban design is a second order endeavour: that is, designers are only indirectly responsible for producing built forms and the spaces in between them; they design for the decision making environment within which others make decisions to add or to alter the built environment
Varriki (1997). A Procedural Explanation of Contemporary Urban Design. Journal of Urban Design. Vol.2, Issue 2, June 1997, pages 143-161. pg 143

Why a Spatial Plan for Auckland?

Akl Placing in Mercer

Overarching driver for the plan - internationally competitive city

Purpose & Scope - long term direction to, and integration of, the big decisions that shape the city

sdfsd

Improved collaboration

A broader focus leveraging opportunities provided by growth

Getting value for money & better timing of investment

Auckland Regional GHG Emissions Profile

Source -

An agreed evidence base of the drivers, opportunities & constriants

Current Consideration of Spatial Planning

Urban planning problems: The system lacks alignment, connection and consistency between the planning statutes ie the RMA, Local Government Act and Land Transport Management Act There is a lack of coordination and consistency in decision making between different participants The RMA does not adequately recognise the benefits of a quality urban environment Gaps have been identified in the tools used to manage the urban environment.

NATIONAL STRATEGY AND POLICY

CABINET DECISIONS

KEY MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION

How should central government communicate its objectives for Auckland? How can Central government align its spend and decisions to deliver these objectives? How strong is Governments direction to local government what degree of influence should it have on the spatial plan?

NIP

GPS
TRANSPORT

NPS/NES
(RMA)

REGIONAL STRATEGY AND POLICY

AUCKLAND SPATIAL PLAN

Replacing the RPS (RMA) and RLTS (LTMA)?

Should the spatial plan replace the role of the RPS and /or the RLTS What should the consultation process & appeal rights be on the spatial plan? How can Maori best participate in the development of the spatial plan? What degree of influence should the Spatial Plan have over designation decisions on individual projects?

Designations LOCAL, REGULATORY AND INVESTMENT PLANS

NON-STAT PLANS / CCO SOIs

LTCCP
(Local Board Agreements)

RLTP

UNITARY PLAN
(Regional & District plans)

What degree of influence should the Spatial Plan have over regulatory and implementation plans?

Strong level of statutory Influence

Local Board Plans

ANNUAL PLAN

Medium level of statutory Influence Weak level of statutory Influence Non-statutory linkage To be decided