The Urbanism NZ 2023 conference brought together more than 400 people from a broad range of industries across the country’s built environment sector to learn and collaborate with a focus on seeking good urban environments for all people.
The event was held at the Cordis Auckland from 27 – 28 April and featured over 80 speakers who addressed the evolution of urban design in Aotearoa, incorporating mātauranga Māori, climate responsiveness, designing for a healthy urban environment, working better with communities, infrastructure requirements and connectivity land use and transportation.
Originally expected to attract 250 delegates, the event exceeded expectations in terms of attendance and support, selling out its display space and providing a unique forum for developers, financiers, planners, designers, government, researchers and academics from throughout Aotearoa in addition to the communities living in Auckland’s urban environment, to be heard.
A post-event survey showed 86% of respondents said the conference met their objective for attending, and 70% said they would recommend the conference to others.
The event was supported by Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. ACB also facilitated the invitation for Megan Tyler, Chief of Strategy at Auckland Council, to appear on the 'After the Deluge' panel discussion.
Head of ACB Ken Pereira says: “Hosting Urbanism NZ 2023 in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland allowed us to shine a light on community development in Auckland and discuss best practice and innovative ideas to help the region flourish.
“We’ve had feedback from many delegates on the networking value at the event, and the business opportunities that resulted from discussions initiated at Urbanism NZ 2023. The conference created a space for collaboration among industry leaders that will positively impact how we think about urban spaces across Aotearoa.”
Principal co-sponsors Waka Kotahi and Kāinga Ora hosted several study tours prior to the conference, including a cycle tour highlighting connectivity/regeneration along the Northwestern Cycleway, walking tours of Auckland city centre developments, and coach tours showcasing public transport-oriented development.
The conference kicked off with a discussion on what Urbanism means for Māori communities with Dee Isaacs, 4Sight SLR, Jade Kake and Alan Titchener at the lead-in conference dinner.
At the opening of the speakers’ programme, Dr Daniele Hromek, Director: Djinjama in Sydney shared the important message: ‘If we care for country it will care for us’. Dr Hromek was joined by Henriette Vamberg from Gehl Copenhagen and LEED Fellow Jason Twill from the United States discussing their take on our urban future.
Another speaker, Dr Tony Matthews of Griffith University in Brisbane, spoke about the transformative impact of major events such as the pandemic and flooding.
Issues pertinent to host city Auckland included urban design challenges, including the aftermath of flooding in the region, Onehunga as a vulnerability hot spot, Hobsonville Point's success as a showcase for density and housing forms, urban regeneration opportunities with public transport, and partnerships between Eke Panuku Development Auckland and local Māori.
Lisa Dunshea, Manager Urban Design in the Tāmaki Makaurau Design Ope at Auckland Council, said hosting the event in Auckland allowed the Council’s interns and urban planners of the future to attend. “The conference was not only a great opportunity for them to listen and learn from others, but also network and make connections for future projects. It’s often what you do with the new learning that matters!”
Ava Wright, He Maunga He Tangata Intern in the Tāmaki Makaurau Design Ope, added: “Attending the Urbanism NZ 2023 Conference was an excellent experience for me, I have recently started my Masters in landscape architecture, and each session took away much inspiration for my work, especially the talk from Jade Kake. The panel Q&A sessions were an incredible opportunity to listen to leading professionals and their views of the industry.”
David Hampton, Lead Strategic Planner at Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency, said: “Many countries are grappling with similar issues in managing environmental challenges, while providing great places for a growing, ageing and diverse urban population. Urbanism NZ 23 was a great opportunity to bring together urban planners from across the motu and globally to showcase some of the new ways we’re thinking about developing great living spaces within our urban areas.
“It was an opportunity to share ideas, challenge our thinking and build strong relationships for future collaboration. For Waka Kotahi, it is clear that the role of a sustainable transport system is a critical part of shaping our urban futures in ways that meet current and future needs of our communities. There is a strong call to shift from ‘talking’ to doing’ when it comes to meeting our urban place-making challenges, and we are excited to be a part of that journey.”
Katja Lietz, Kāinga Ora General Manager Urban Planning and Design, said: “The Urbanism NZ 2023 conference was a great opportunity for us to connect with our industry peers and, along with our co-sponsor Waka Kotahi, to discuss the significant work we are doing in the urban development space.
“It was a privilege to hear from so many talented, inspiring and passionate urban development professionals from across a range of sectors, and it was reassuring to find that many of us are on the same page when it comes to what a sustainable, thriving, liveable city looks like.
“It is clear there is already a lot of great mahi going on in this space; now it is up to us to keep building on the momentum to ensure our shared vision for a more connected and resilient Aotearoa becomes a reality.”
A final workshop was held following the main conference programme where all the key takeouts, delegate opinion polls and wordclouds were considered in the context of updating the Statement of NZ Urbanism. This statement, developed at the last edition of the conference in 2018, will be further reshaped and shared with the conference attendees and broader Urbanism sector.