1. Is policy leading to improved sustainability at the local urban scale? Dr Sumita Ghosh and Dr Robert Vale Built Environments, Auckland, New Zealand Email: GhoshS@landcareresearch.co.nz ; Email: ValeR@landcareresearch.co.nz International Conference on Sustainability Engineering and Science (NZSSES) – Talking and Walking Sustainability, 20-23 February 2007, Auckland

2. Objective To investigate how national and regional policies influence the environmental sustainability of emerging local residential forms, especially in the Auckland Region using a case study based approach.

3. Urban Sustainability Policies National - Resource Management Act 1991 - National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, 2001 - Local Government Act 2002 - New Zealand Transport Strategy, 2002 - Sustainable Development Programme of Action (NZSDPOA), 2003 - Building Act 2004 - New Zealand Urban Design Protocol, 2005 Auckland Regional - Auckland Regional Growth Strategy 2050 (ARGS) - Auckland Regional Land Transport Strategy, 2005 - Auckland Regional Affordable Housing Strategy, 2003 - District Plans, Regional Plans and Regional Policy Statements Projects - Learning Sustainability - Low Impact Urban Design and Development (LIUDD) - Beacon Pathway Ltd - Auckland Sustainable Cities Programme (“Urban Form, Design and Development (UFDD)” and “Transport and Urban Form (TUF)”)

4. URBAN TAXONOMY

5. Local Urban Scale Close To Inner City – High density Medium Rise Residential Suburban – Medium density Medium Rise Mixed Residential Suburban – Low Density Low Rise

6. Three Case Studies: Auckland Region Applications of urban design principles Design characteristics Subdivision layouts and open space provisions Density of development Potential and actual renewable energy use Available transport options Greenwich Park, Grafton, Auckland City Addison, Papakura District Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood, Waitakere City Sustainable Urban Form Analysis

7. Greenwich Park, Grafton, Auckland Inner city mixed-use, high-density, gated community 85 attached two-level terraced townhouses Site area:1.53 hectares Dwelling density: 56 dwellings per hectare Lot sizes: 300–350 m² ; Approximate House Size: 100 m² Aerial photo source: Auckland City Council Good access to public transport buses and train Close to shopping centres Lack of pedestrian connectivity and vehicular traffic segregation Open space areas along the site boundary Subject to motorway noise

8. Grafton Repetitive monotonous built forms High fence acts as a visual barrier Narrow strips of landscaped areas High impervious areas

9. Grafton Effective passive solar design -north orientations of roofs; -sufficient glazing in façades -allows solar gain -available solar efficient roof (No use of solar water heater or PV modules currently) Inadequate spaces for installation of above ground rain tanks  Sustainability features assumed: - compact form - shared services - increased walkability to work - use of public transport

10. Addison, Takanini, Papakura Suburban “master-planned community” built on “new urbanism” principles 1500 homes of mixed housing types Site area of approximately 80 ha of land Dwelling density: ranges from 16 dwellings to 23 dwellings per hectare Lot sizes vary from 180 m² to 486 m²  Very good vehicular and pedestrian segregation Well clustered housing around open-space areas Site Plan source: http://www.mip.co.nz/developments/project/addison

11.  Choice of harmonious colour schemes  Street facades and vistas created in aesthetically pleasing manner  Increased amenity values as located close to Bruce Pullman Park  Adequately designed landscaping  Modern residential environment Addison

12. Comprehensive sustainability framework includes: - access to facilities - waste recycling and management - solar orientation and energy conservation - low-impact storm water management - biodiversity and planting Addison

13. Earthsong, Waitakere City Site Plan source: http://www.earthsong.org.nz//infobook/index.html Medium Density eco neighbourhood with a variety of housing types 32 homes built on the principles of permaculture and cohousing Site area : 1.62 hectares Dwelling density: 20 dwellings per hectare Interactive community committed to more sustainable behaviour

14. Earthsong Buildings and neighbourhood are well integrated with the site Informal gathering places Edible landscaping for local food production Dwellings along common pathways and courtyards Car parks and carports on one side of the site Safe, pedestrian-friendly play areas for children, pedestrian priority

15. Earthsong Sustainable design principles include: -buildings oriented north -non-toxic building materials -rainwater collection for household and garden use -on-site stormwater and wastewater treatment -low-impact urban design technology such as rain tanks, grass swales, permeable paving, use of renewable energy (solar water heaters)

16. Research Outcomes Policies could influence emerging local- scale urban forms in varied manners generating significantly different contributions to environmental sustainability; Behaviour change and technology could both impact significantly on urban sustainability; behaviour is likely to make the larger change.

17. Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED), UK Source: http://www.bioregional.com/ Sustainable designs include: - roof gardens - passive solar design - a small-scale combined heat and power plant (CHP) to supply hot water - low-energy lighting - energy-efficient appliances - waste water recycling - onsite renewable energy Mixed-use, mixed-tenure Largest carbon neutral eco community in UK 82 well-insulated, affordable residential homes and offices Encourage alternatives to car use, thereby reducing transport energy use Zero heating design

18. Behaviour and Sustainability The Typical household living in a conventional house have an Ecological Footprint of 5.4 Ha per person Changing the built environment reduces Ecological Footprint by 11%, but changing how we live can reduce Ecological Footprint by 22%. Changing the built environment reduces Ecological Footprint by 11%, but changing how we live can reduce Ecological Footprint by 22%. If we do not learn to change our behaviour, there will be no point in changing our buildings. The Keen household living inBedZEDhave an in BedZED have an Ecological Footprint of 3.6 Ha per person.

19. Future Research Connecting sustainability research and environmental policy is essential for successful urban sustainability policy formulation and its subsequent implementation.