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| Photo credit: Robert Kerton (http://www.scienceimage.csiro.au/index.cfm?event=site.image.detail&id=1543) |
Friday, 1 April 2011
Future of Auckland??? (Aerial photo of Melbourne sprawl)
The MUL: helpful tool or annoying constraint???
So, in a continuation from my last post . . . the MUL: helpful tool or annoying constraint???
Urban limits are usually put in place to stop processes such a urban sprawl and promote more intensified development within the limits.
The flip side being that the New Zealand quarter acre dream is becoming harder and harder to fulfill especially if, as is the case in Auckland, new homes are not built. This has been part of the cause for the current issues over house prices that are being debated in the news.
The main issue in relation to Auckland is, if the MUL is relaxed, what will the effect be on Auckland? Will it be aimless development? Or help fix the house pricing issues that Auckland is dealing with?
The way the development occurs will have a huge impact on the future of Auckland especially in relation to transportation.
Decisions made today have huge implications for future generations therefore any decisions made today need to be made for the future and be proactive not reactive (something that is often easier said than done . . . )
What will certainly be interesting over the next coming months/year will be seeing what decsions are made in respect to this issue as they will probably set the tone for future decisions.
Urban limits are usually put in place to stop processes such a urban sprawl and promote more intensified development within the limits.
The flip side being that the New Zealand quarter acre dream is becoming harder and harder to fulfill especially if, as is the case in Auckland, new homes are not built. This has been part of the cause for the current issues over house prices that are being debated in the news.
The main issue in relation to Auckland is, if the MUL is relaxed, what will the effect be on Auckland? Will it be aimless development? Or help fix the house pricing issues that Auckland is dealing with?
The way the development occurs will have a huge impact on the future of Auckland especially in relation to transportation.
Decisions made today have huge implications for future generations therefore any decisions made today need to be made for the future and be proactive not reactive (something that is often easier said than done . . . )
What will certainly be interesting over the next coming months/year will be seeing what decsions are made in respect to this issue as they will probably set the tone for future decisions.
Monday, 21 March 2011
First post! - Extension of the Metroplitan Urban Limit???
So just to set the scene here. Last year in the second year of my planning degree we had some assignments which focused on the Kumeu, Huapai and Waimauku areas.
Part of the assignment was to come up with a plan for the development of the Kumeu-Huapai-Waimauku area based on the assumption that with the continuing growth of Auckland these areas would one day need to be developed further. The majority of the class included ways to reduce unconstrained growth in the area as a way of preserving it.
The image below shows the Auckland metropolitan urban limit which includes the north-western areas of Hobsonville and West Harbour but doesn't include Kumeu, Huapai or Waimauku.
The metropolitan urban limit in Auckland is a tool to reduce urban sprawl and development outside of the defined areas however, when I was in the Kumeu area recently I noticed a number of signs explaining that Watercare Services Ltd are installing wastewater pipes which will service the Kumeu, Huapai and Riverhead areas.
I can't help but see this as the first step towards the Auckland Council extending the MUL.
And, if that is the case, it will surely have many implications on not only the Kumeu area but the rest of Auckland as well.
Part of the assignment was to come up with a plan for the development of the Kumeu-Huapai-Waimauku area based on the assumption that with the continuing growth of Auckland these areas would one day need to be developed further. The majority of the class included ways to reduce unconstrained growth in the area as a way of preserving it.
The image below shows the Auckland metropolitan urban limit which includes the north-western areas of Hobsonville and West Harbour but doesn't include Kumeu, Huapai or Waimauku.
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| Source: http://www.royalcommission.govt.nz/web/part4/18_boundaries.html |
I can't help but see this as the first step towards the Auckland Council extending the MUL.
And, if that is the case, it will surely have many implications on not only the Kumeu area but the rest of Auckland as well.
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