2 Enabling quality urban growth - Tāhuhu whakaruruhau ā-tāone
He tāhuhu whakaruruhau
The sheltering ridge pole.

2.1 Providing for growth in a quality compact urban form
Introduction
This chapter sets out the objectives and policies for managing Auckland’s urban areas over the next 30 years. The urban areas include the metropolitan area, the satellite towns of Warkworth and Pukekohe and the rural and coastal towns and serviced villages.

The primary policy approach is to provide for housing choice and affordability and focus residential and business growth in centres, within neighbourhoods and along frequent transport routes. Transport and other infrastructure is to be integrated with growth, while enabling business and residential development. Emphasis is placed on creating a quality built environment. Urban growth needs to make the best use of existing significant infrastructure, recognising protected values such as historic character and ecological areas, while considering constraints such as natural hazards.

Objectives, policies, methods relating to business land supply and business activities are in the RPS - Commercial and Industrial Growth section.
Objectives
1. A quality compact urban form with a clear defensible limit (Rural Urban Boundary - RUB) to the urban expansion of the metropolitan area, satellite towns, rural and coastal towns and serviced villages.
2. Urban growth is primarily focussed within the metropolitan area 2010.
3. Land within and adjacent to centres, frequent public transport routes and facilities is the primary focus for residential intensification with a lesser degree of intensification in surrounding neighbourhoods.
4. The focus for urban growth outside of the metropolitan area 2010, is greenfield land within the RUB that is contiguous with the urban area and the satellite towns of Pukekohe and Warkworth.
Policies
1. Concentrate urban activities within, the metropolitan area 2010, the RUB, the satellite towns, rural and coastal towns and serviced villages.
2. Enable higher residential densities and the efficient use of land in neighbourhoods:
a. within and around centres and within moderate walking distances from the city, metropolitan, town and local centres
b. in areas close to the frequent public transport routes and facilities
c. in close proximity to existing or proposed large open spaces, community facilities, education and healthcare facilities
d. adequately serviced by existing physical infrastructure or where infrastructure can be efficiently upgraded.
3. Provide for and encourage residential intensification within centres while ensuring that:
a. there is a broad mix of activities within centres
b. residential activities do not compromise the ability for mixed use developments, or commercial activities to locate in centres
c. development uses land efficiently.
Methods
Regulatory

Unitary Plan:
•Appendix 1.1 and 1.2 on structure plan guidelines and the metropolitan area 2010.
•RUB – RPS maps on the council GIS viewer to show the maximum extent of the urban area.
•The Unitary Plan will be changed to define the RUB around rural and coastal towns and serviced villages and other areas the council has deemed necessary.
•Zones objectives policies and rules for the Future Urban zone.
Explanation and reasons
These objectives, policies and methods recognise the need for a well-located and designed compact urban form, and the natural and built character of the urban environment. A quality compact urban form delivers a range of benefits by:
•creating a range of housing choices from apartment living to rural and coastal lifestyle opportunities 
•achieving a more integrated approach to land use and transport which improves transport efficiency and enhances accessibility
•protecting core environmental values such as air quality, water quality and biodiversity fostering improvements in productivity and creativity by having a network of businesses in proximity to each other, suppliers, customers and their employees and enabling the exchange of ideas
•providing certainty about areas that will be well supported by infrastructure investment
•protecting highly valued areas from development 
•creating greater social and cultural vitality in centres and neighbourhoods
•supporting access to open space, community facilities, and education facilities.

The objectives and policies recognise the need to focus residential intensification within the metropolitan area 2010 and within centres. The benefit of this policy approach is that it provides for more efficient use of existing infrastructure and services and enables people to be closer to employment opportunities.

The policy approach focuses urban activities to identified areas, rather than urban activities developing in an ad hoc manner in the rural environment. It also focuses infrastructure investment in identified locations and supports the development of identified growth areas or existing towns and serviced villages.

2.2 A quality built environment
Introduction
This section sets out objectives and policies to deliver quality, sustainable development as Auckland moves to a compact urban form. A quality built environment is one which maximises opportunities for the well-being of communities and social and economic exchange by providing safe and lively streets and public spaces, fronted by visually rich and engaging buildings. In the New Zealand, and particularly the Auckland context, with its numerous volcanic cones and extensive shoreline, it is one where buildings respect and respond to the natural environment in which they are placed.

A robust design process is part of achieving a quality built environment, and results in development that contributes to an Auckland that is a sustainable, attractive and desirable city to live, work and play in.
Objective
1. A quality built environment where development, including subdivision, across the site, street, block, neighbourhood and city scales:
a. recognises Auckland’s sense of place and enriches its landscape, character, heritage and legibility (identity)
b. provides for a rich mix of choice and opportunity for our communities and can adapt to changing needs (diversity)
c. considers and reinforces use, activity centres, energy systems and movement networks which are well connected and provide convenient and equal access for all (integration)
d. supports and optimises the full potential of a site’s intrinsic qualities, including its shape, landform, outlook and relationship to its surroundings (efficiency).
Policies
1. Require development to be designed to integrate all elements of a place, buildings or space into a coherently designed solution.
2. Design development to respond positively to the site, its context and the planned future character of the place, and to reinforce the role of the public realm as the primary place for public interaction.
3. Require development to contribute to the safety of the street and neighbourhood.
4. Encourage development which is designed for change of use through time.
5. Design development with a level of amenity that enables long term options for living and working.
6. Encourage development to be designed to have equal access for people of all ages and abilities.
7. Require a high standard of design in areas of residential and business intensification.
8. Enable the development of a range of built forms within neighbourhoods to support maximum choice and recognise different lifestyles.
9. Design streets and block patterns that maximise connectivity, provide for a range of travel options and have a high standard of amenity and safety for pedestrians and cyclists to promote walking and cycling.
10. Balance the place and movement functions of streets while emphasising their role as places for people over movement of vehicles in centres and areas of residential intensification.
11. Require large scale development, and encourage all other development, to minimise its environmental impact through best practice sustainable design which incorporates energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, waste minimisation and water sensitive design.
Methods
Regulatory

Unitary Plan:
•Design statements
•Auckland-wide objectives, policies, rules and assessment criteria
•Zone objectives, policies, rules and assessment criteria
•Precinct objectives, policies, rules and assessment criteria.

Non-Regulatory
•The Auckland Design Manual
•Design review panels including the Auckland Design Panel
•Programmes that provide the community with information and increase their understanding on design and sustainability issues.
Explanation and reasons
A quality built environment is critical to the well-being of Auckland’s communities and to its competitiveness, particularly as the city becomes more compact. Good design is a creative process that takes into account these issues and explores opportunities to deliver quality, sustainable and aesthetically pleasing development that provides for good public and private amenity.

2.3 Development capacity and supply of land for urban development

Introduction
This section sets out objectives and policies to enable sufficient development capacity in the urban area and sufficient land for new housing and businesses over the next 30 years, to support population and business growth within the RUB.

The objectives and policies direct where urban growth should be located. They identify how suitable land will be managed, until the land is re-zoned for urban development. They also set out the process the council will follow to ensure urban development is supported by infrastructure and services to deliver a quality compact urban form.
Objectives
1. Sufficient development capacity and land supply to accommodate projected population and business growth.
2. Up to 70 per cent of total new dwellings by 2040 occurs within the metropolitan area 2010.
3. Up to 40 per cent of total new dwellings by 2040 occurs outside of the metropolitan area 2010.
4. The development of land zoned future urban within the RUB occurs in an orderly, timely and planned manner.
Policies
1. Maintain sufficient unconstrained residential and business land within the RUB to accommodate an average of seven years land supply at any one time.
2. Enable the continued use of land zoned future urban within the RUB for rural activities until urban zonings are applied through a structure plan and plan change process, provided that rural subdivision, use and development does not compromise the future urban use of the land or lead to land fragmentation.
3. Avoid urban development within:
a.areas with significant environmental, heritage, natural character or landscape values, including areas identified in Appendix 3.1-3.2, Appendix 5.1, Appendix 6.2, Appendix 9.1 and land governed by the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act
b.scheduled sites and places of significance to Mana Whenua
c.areas of significant mineral resources
d.elite land
e.close proximity to existing or planned significant infrastructure, particularly where residential activities would cause reverse sensitive effects
f. greenfield land or future urban land affected by coastal inundation and projected sea level rise
g. areas prone to natural hazards. Where avoidance cannot be achieved in areas prone to natural hazards, urban development must be done in such a way that, individually or cumulatively, protects people, property and the environment from significant risks of natural hazards.
4. Stage the structure planning and rezoning of future urban zoned land and the provision of infrastructure within the RUB, in accordance with the following principles:
a. land should be rezoned following the approval of a structure plan prepared by either the council, the private sector, or public private sector partnership in accordance with Appendix 1.1
b. rezoning and infrastructure provision should be done in a logical sequence, and out of sequence infrastructure provision should be specifically avoided
c. new urban growth within the RUB should be immediately adjacent to existing urban land unless the separation is necessary to:
i. avoid, remedy or mitigate significant conflict between activities
ii. ensure the efficient provision of infrastructure, including transport
iii. take account of the topography or other physical constraints
iv. avoid the areas outlined in Policy 3 above
d. there is sufficient development capacity and land supply for both business and housing in each sector i.e. north, central, west and south
e. the quantity of land being released at any one time will have regard to the scale and economies of servicing and developing the land
f. the urban form and range of housing choices desired for the area are met
g. the ability to supply housing that is more affordable to households on low to moderate incomes.
5. Require comprehensive planned development of greenfield land zoned for business and residential uses, through a structure plan process to ensure development is aligned with the provision of significant infrastructure, stormwater management and achieves a well planned quality community.
6. Require provision or upgrading of significant infrastructure to be coordinated with the structure and sequencing of growth and development, prior to the approval of an activity and/or development.
7.Enable growth in new urban zones while protecting existing significant infrastructure from reverse sensitivity effects.
Methods
Regulatory

Unitary Plan:
•Appendix 1.1 and 1.2 on structure plan guidelines and the metropolitan area 2010.
•RUB – RPS maps on the council GIS viewer to show the maximum extent of the urban area.
•The Unitary Plan will be changed to define the rural urban boundary around rural and coastal towns and serviced villages and other areas the council has deemed necessary.
•Zone objectives policies and rules for Future Urban zone.

Non-regulatory
•A sub-regional analysis will be prepared by the council in conjunction with infrastructure providers, iwi, landowners, developers, central government and other stakeholders to integrate and prioritise land delivery and investment in infrastructure to support the development of brownfield and greenfield land.
•Review the council’s rating and development contributions policy.
•Investigate funding mechanisms to support urban development and the provision of infrastructure.

Monitoring and information gathering
•Monitoring - development capacity and land supply.
Explanation and reasons
These objectives, policies and methods provides a target for unconstrained land supply to ensure there is adequate land to meet projected population and business growth. The preparation of a sub-regional analysis will inform the council’s land strategies and other documents such as the long-term plan, annual plan and asset management plans.

A higher proportion of growth is to occur inside the metropolitan area 2010. This means that growth can be avoided in more sensitive locations. It also provides for efficient use of infrastructure, and supports the use of public transport, community facilities and services.

Policy 2 outlines how the Future Urban zone is to be managed until a structure plan and a plan change is prepared to rezone the land to enable urban development. This policy supports a comprehensive approach to planning new urban areas. The structure plan guidelines in Appendix 1.1 outlines what needs to be included in a structure plan.

The policies identify where urban development should be avoided and the principles for rezoning of land and infrastructure provision. These policies ensure that the Future Urban zone is developed in a logical sequence, is supported by planning and funding and significant infrastructure is aligned with growth and development. Growth is enabled while recognising that growth can have reverse sensitivity effects on significant infrastructure.

Policy 5 recognises that there are areas of greenfield land zoned for urban purposes that require comprehensive planning to avoid ad hoc development, ensure provision of infrastructure and enable efficient stormwater management.

2.4 Neighbourhoods that retain affordable housing
Introduction
This section sets out objectives and policies that seek to improve the affordability of dwellings for households on low to moderate incomes. These policies complement other policies that increase the supply of land for housing.

The purpose of the following policies is to provide dwellings that are affordable to households that are part of the intermediate housing market within new large-scale residential development. As of 2013, the intermediate housing market is estimated to be 18 per cent of all households within Auckland. In simple terms these households usually have incomes that are between 80 and 120 per cent of regional median household incomes.

The council will review the state of Auckland's housing market at least once every five years and identify the extent to which the land and housing market are meeting Auckland’s housing needs. This review will take into account land supply, development costs and central government assistance in terms of income support and provision of social housing. This will help inform any future changes to the Unitary Plan including those that increase, reduce or remove the provisions relating to retained affordable housing.
Objective
1. Neighbourhoods contain quality homes that help meet the housing needs of current and future, low to moderate income households.
Policies
1. Encourage residential development to provide a range of dwelling types and sizes that help meet the housing needs of households on low to moderate incomes, including social housing and lower cost, market rate housing.
2. Require new large-scale residential development within the RUB and encourage all other development to provide a proportion of dwellings that are affordable for the intermediate housing market.
Methods
Regulatory

Unitary Plan:
•Structure plan requirements
•Auckland-wide objectives, policies and rules for affordable housing.

Non Regulatory
•Regular regional housing needs assessment
•Provision of information on an annual basis house and site prices that would meet the definition of retained affordable housing
•Advocacy and liaison with central government, including housing accords
•Development of council owned land and joint ventures with the private and not-for-profit sectors.
Explanation and reasons
Housing is fundamental to Aucklanders’ social well-being and providing a diverse range of housing choice is necessary for building thriving, mixed communities. It is also critical for Auckland's economic performance. The Auckland Plan identifies increasing the supply of housing that is affordable to current and future Aucklanders as a significant issue for the region. There are three broad types of housing need in terms of affordability:
•Social housing - normally rental units where the rents are substantially below market rates, providing accommodation for households that are on very low incomes and/or are substantially disadvantaged. Typically this involves Housing New Zealand, but also involves a number of social housing providers including local government. It can include temporary and emergency shelter. 
•Market rate affordable housing - housing that is offered for sale or rent on the open market without any form of subsidy or direct public assistance and which is affordable to households with moderate incomes because it is below median house prices due to its location, size and/or design.
•Affordable housing - housing that can be accessed by households who are part of the intermediate housing market without these households spending more than 30 per cent of their gross household income. Affordable housing can include a wide range of products such as shared ownership, shared equity, as well as controls on rental/capital growth that ensure that the units remains affordable into the long term. 

The objectives and policies recognise the need to intervene in the housing market to increase the supply of housing that is affordable to households in the intermediate housing market. The priority given to the intermediate housing market recognises and complements the role government plays in the provision of social housing and the broader objective of the Unitary Plan to increase the supply of housing and neighbourhoods that provide a wider range of market rate homes.

2.5 Rural and coastal towns and villages
Introduction
This section sets out the objectives and policies to manage urban growth in rural and coastal towns and villages. It sets out how the council will assess proposed extensions to towns and serviced villages, and provides a policy approach for managing growth in un-serviced villages. The policies outline how the council will consider proposals for new towns or villages and provide criteria that will be used to assess such proposals.
Objectives
1. Growth in towns and villages is sustainable and efficient, capturing and enhancing the local character and sense of place of the town or village and the surrounding area.
2. Growth within un-serviced villages is contained within their urban zones existing at September 2013.
3. Growth in towns and serviced villages is contained within the RUB.
4. New towns and villages are avoided outside the RUB.
Policies
1. Require proposals for expanding existing rural and coastal towns and serviced villages, that have efficient and well-performing wastewater facilities with additional or planned and funded capacity, to be developed in a manner that:
a. achieves an orderly and contiguous connection with the existing settlement
b. achieves a clear break between other nearby towns and villages
c. incorporates affordable, feasible, sequenced and funded social and physical infrastructure
d. provides high resilience to future risks, avoiding locations with significant natural hazard risks for urban development
e. avoids urbanisation of elite and prime land, and maintains adequate separation between incompatible land uses
f. achieves high environmental performance and a high quality built environment
g. reinforces and enhances natural and physical characteristics, including the coastal environment
h. has good accessibility and improves transport options, including walking and cycling
i. enables papakāinga, marae developments, customary use, cultural activities and appropriate commercial activities on Māori land and on other land where Mana Whenua have collective ownership interest
j. is in accordance with the structure plan guidelines in Appendix 1.1
k. avoids identified sites, places and areas:
i. of significant ecological or heritage values
ii. of significance to Mana Whenua
iii. of outstanding natural features and landscapes
iv. of outstanding or high natural character
v. with significant mineral resources
vi. within an electricity transmission corridor.
2. Manage development in unserviced rural and coastal villages in a manner that:
a. provides for limited business development on a scale that serves the surrounding rural community
b. provides opportunities for local recreation
c. reinforces and enhances the defined natural and physical characteristics, including rural and coastal values associated with the village
d. encourages development of existing vacant lots
e. enables papakāinga, marae developments, customary use, cultural activities and appropriate commercial activities on Māori land and on other land where Mana Whenua have collective ownership interest.
3. Require any proposal for a new town or village outside of the RUB to go through a plan change process and to demonstrate that it:
a. meets Policy 1 with the exception of 1a.
b. does not compromise the achievement of the objectives and policies in section 2.2.1: Providing for growth in a quality compact urban form
c. can provide and fund the infrastructure requirements of the proposed development as well as any future planned development
d. can demonstrate sufficient demand for additional urban land within the sub-regional area
e. can provide accessible and adequate transport connections
f. is in accordance with the structure plan guidelines in Appendix 1.1
g. achieves environmental restoration and enhancement of degraded areas with an overall net benefit
h. provides attractive public open space, walking and cycling opportunities.
Methods
Regulatory

Unitary Plan:
•Appendix 1.1 and 1.2 on structure plan guidelines and the metropolitan area 2010.
•RUB – RPS maps on the council GIS viewer to show the maximum extent of the urban area.
•The Unitary Plan will be changed to define the rural urban boundary around rural and coastal towns and serviced villages or other areas the council has deemed necessary.
•Zone objectives policies and rules for Future Urban zone.

Non-regulatory
•A sub-regional analysis will be prepared by the council in conjunction with infrastructure providers, iwi, landowners, developers, central government and other stakeholders to integrate and prioritise land delivery and investment in infrastructure to support the development of brownfield and greenfield land. 

Monitoring and information gathering
•Monitoring - development capacity and land supply.
Explanation and reasons
These objectives, policies and methods identify the growth management approach for rural and coastal towns, serviced villages and unserviced villages.

The establishment of a RUB around towns and serviced villages will provide for growth to be undertaken in a complementary manner to their existing character and physical environment. Policy 1 will only be in place until a RUB is established around each town and serviced village.

Policy 2 anticipates little or no growth in unserviced villages, recognising the servicing constraints of these areas and the need to capture and enhance their local character. This policy encourages the development of existing lots while limiting the need for the provision of infrastructure. It also provides for limited business and local recreation opportunities recognising that these activities support the surrounding rural community.

The objectives and policies outline the management approach for proposals that seek to expand existing towns and serviced villages. The policy supports existing towns and serviced villages by directing growth to them, allowing for the efficient use of existing infrastructure and future infrastructure funding.

Objective 4 and policy 3 seek to avoid new towns or villages outside the RUB and to prevent urban expansion into rural areas. The criteria in policy 1 relating to the expansion of towns and serviced villages emphasises the priority for growing them over establishing new towns and serviced villages. It is expected that any new towns or villages established under Policy 3 will need to provide the necessary infrastructure and services to be self-sufficient.

2.6 Public open space and recreation facilities
Introduction
Auckland has a vast network of public open spaces that covers a wide variety of environments ranging from volcanic cones to coastal habitats and from bush covered areas to artificial playing fields.

Collectively Auckland’s public open spaces perform a wide range of functions which include:
•providing opportunities for a variety of recreational activities such as sports, exercising, relaxing and socialising 
•providing public access to the coastline, islands and beaches 
•providing amenity and respite 
•protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural heritage, landscapes and ecological values.

Individual public open spaces may serve communities located within a close walking distance or may attract Aucklanders travelling by car and public transport across the region. These different functions make a significant contribution to the character of Auckland, the well-being of its people and its reputation for having an outstanding lifestyle with easy and free access to the outdoors.

Examples of public open space include:
•parks and reserves, which include local and regional parks, bush and wilderness areas e.g. Long Bay, Murphy’s Bush, Otuataua Stonefields, Western Springs and the Waitākere Ranges
•sports parks, which include sports fields, hard courts and greens e.g. Victoria Park and Lloyd Elsmore Park
•the margins of waterways and the coast, which includes esplanade reserves, beaches and costal walkways, including land previously reclaimed e.g. Takapuna Beach Reserve, Mission Bay and Manukau coastal walkways
•civic spaces, which include civic squares and plazas e.g Aotea Square.
•greenways, which include a network of walkways, trails, cycleways and bridle tracks e.g. the Coast to Coast Walkway
•islands and volcanic cones/maunga e.g. Maungawhau (Mt Eden) and Rangitoto island.

These public open spaces are complemented by a range of recreation facilities which are used for sports, recreation and leisure and community activities, including:
•bowling greens and golf courses
•club rooms, changing facilities and toilets, boat ramps and parking areas
•swimming pools e.g. Tepid Baths and West Wave, Henderson
•recreation centres e.g. Massey Leisure Centre 
•event and entertainment facilities e.g. Waikaraka Park.

Auckland’s roads, streets and lanes, which include shared spaces and street berms are also an important component of the public open space network e.g. Elliot Street. These do not have a public open space zoning.

Auckland’s CMA is a significant public open space and recreational resource. For additional policy direction on managing the CMA and public open space to and along the CMA see section 7 - Sustainably managing our coastal environment.

Open spaces and recreation facilities may be privately or publicly owned and operated. A Public Open Space zone has only been applied to privately owned land and or a facility where this is supported by the landowner.

As Auckland’s population grows and development occurs, new public open spaces and recreation facilities will be required, and the existing networks of open space and recreation facilities will need to be expanded and upgraded to meet the needs of new residents and the increased level of use.
Objectives
1. A high quality network of public open spaces and recreation facilities that enhances quality of life for the diverse communities of Auckland, and contributes positively to Auckland's unique identity.
2. The protection and enhancement of the natural environment of public open spaces and cultural heritage places.
3.The recreational needs of Aucklanders are met through the provision of sufficent public open space, particularly in intensified urban areas.
4. Public access to Auckland’s coastline, foreshore, beaches and special natural areas is maintained and enhanced.
5. Mana Whenua values and associations with public open space are identified and enhanced.
Policies
1. Enable a wide range of public open spaces and recreation facilities to deliver a variety of activities, experiences and functions for Auckland’s residents and visitors to enjoy.
2. Increase the public open space network and recreation facilities in areas where there is an existing deficiency, particularly in areas of intensification or growth, or where there is a future identified need.
3.Ensure the public open space network contains representative examples of the diverse landscapes, heritage (archaeological, historic and cultural) and natural values (ecological and biodiversity) of the Auckland region, and provides opportunities for people to ineract with and appreciate this heritage.
4. Ensure Auckland has high quality and diverse public open space and recreation facilities sufficient to meet the needs of its growing and changing population.
5. Ensure public open space and recreation facilities are in locations accessible to users.
6. Connect public open spaces physically and visually, to create a network that enables people and wildlife to move around efficiently and safely.
7. Protect and enhance the landscape, heritage (archaeological, historic and cultural) and natural values (ecological and biodiversity) of Auckland’s public open spaces.
8. Design and develop public open spaces and recreation facilities that:
a. are safe and attractive to users
b. reflect the character of the area and needs of the community in which they are located
c. incorporate the principles of sustainability so that designs are adaptable, multifunctional and use resources efficiently
d. are accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
9. Enable the provision of utility services necessary to service public open spaces and recreation facilities.
10.Collaborate with Mana Whenua to identify and manage all areas of public open space with Māori cultural heritage values in accordance with mātauranga and tikanga
11. Develop public open spaces which reflect Mana Whenua values, including:
a. providing for cultural institutions, including marae
b. restoring and enhance ecosystems and indigenous biodiversity, particularly taonga species
c. providing natural resources for customary use
d. providing opportunities for residents and visitors to experience Māori cultural heritage, while protecting Māori cultural heritage and sites and features of significance to Mana Whenua.
12. Require land use or development on surrounding land does not compromise the natural and cultural heritage values, landscape values, or recreational opportunities of public open space or recreation facilities, or access to them.
13. Facilitate public access and enjoyment of the margins of lakes, rivers, streams and the coast by:
a. providing areas of public open space that have high amenity values in these locations, including new parks and multi-use trails
b. enabling facilities that support water recreation activities to ensure they are appropriately located and designed e.g. boat ramps
c. ensuring landscape and natural values are protected.
14. Enable public access to, and along, the margins of lakes, rivers and streams unless restricting access is necessary to:
a. protect public health and safety
b. provide for defence, port or airport purposes
c. protect identified significant historic heritage or natural heritage values
d. protect sensitive natural areas or habitats
e. protect identified sites, values and activities of significance to Mana Whenua, or Māori cultural heritage
f. have a level of security necessary to carry out an activity or function that has been established or provided for.
Methods
Regulatory

Unitary Plan:
•Auckland-wide objectives, policies and rules for: infrastructure, transport; network utilities and energy, subdivision, artworks, lighting, noise and vibration, signs and temporary activities.
•Zones objectives, policies and rules for: public open space, social infrastructure and major recreation facilities.
•Overlays objectives, policies and rules for: historic heritage, outstanding natural features, outstanding natural landscapes, volcanic viewshafts, significant ecological areas, Auckland War Memorial viewshaft, and indicative roads and open space.
•Precincts objectives, policies and rules for: public open space, social infrastructure precincts and major recreation.
•Taking esplanade reserves when land is being subdivided or developed.
•Designations by Auckland Council for regional parks and public open space.

Bylaws
•Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw 

Other
•Reserve Act status and preparation of Reserve Management Plans (Reserves Act 1977).
•Orders in Council for regional parks.
•Auckland Conservation Management Strategy and conservation management plans.

Non-Regulatory

Non-statutory plans and strategies:
•City Centre Master Plan
•Parks and Open Spaces Acquisition Policy
•Parks and Open Spaces Strategic Action Plan
•Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan
•Open Space Network Plans
•Provision Guidelines
•Greenway Plans
•Weed Management Plan
•Operational Guidelines
•Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy
•Asset Management Plans
•Historic Heritage Plan

Advocacy and education

Monitoring and information gathering

Funding and assistance:
•developing, maintaining and operating the public open space network and recreation facilities (Long Term Plan, Annual Plan)
•development contributions policy.
Explanation and reasons
The objectives, policies and methods set out above detail the individual components needed to provide, extend and improve a high quality network of high quality public open spaces and recreation facilities. Providing a network of high quality public open spaces and recreation facilities is particularly important for a growing city, as increasing numbers of people will rely on this network for their general well-being and recreational needs. Public open spaces also contribute significantly to Auckland’s sense of place, including Auckland’s Māori identity.

2.7 Social infrastructure
Introduction
Social infrastructure relates to public and private facilities and networks, which provide for Aucklanders’ quality of life and socioeconomic outcomes such as education, health, justice, corrections, community and cultural facilities. There are a range of social infrastructure providers:
•central government – tertiary institutions, hospitals, schools, courts and prisons 
•council – public art galleries and museums, community centres, libraries and youth centres 
•private providers – private schools, places of worship and hospitals. 

Social infrastructure is an important asset to society as it provides:
•opportunities to learn 
•facilities for the prevention and treatment of illness and injury
•facilities to support the justice system 
•places where the community can come together to discuss issues, to participate in recreation activities or to socialise. 

Social infrastructure also contributes to the economy of Auckland and New Zealand by providing universities and other education facilities which generate the research and skill base necessary for a high-value knowledge economy.
Objectives
1. A high quality network of social infrastructure that meets Aucklanders’ needs both locally and regionally.
2. Social infrastructure is located where it is accessible by a range of transport modes.
Policies
1. Make social infrastructure accessible to users by providing for:
a. local small-scale social infrastructure so they are accessible to local communities e.g. medical centres, places of worship, care centres, primary schools, community halls
b. medium-scale social infrastructure e.g. civic buildings, libraries and art galleries in the city centre and in metropolitan and town centres
c. larger-scale land extensive social infrastructure e.g. hospitals, universities, large community churches and secondary schools in locations where the existing and/or proposed roading network has sufficient capacity, and in close proximity to the public transport network and the walking and cycling networks.
2. Provide Auckland with sufficient social infrastructure to meet the needs of its growing population by:
a. enabling intensive use and development of existing and new social infrastructure sites
b. working with providers to plan and fund social infrastructure to meet future growth needs in brownfield and greenfield areas
c. requiring adaptable multi-functional buildings to meet changing needs and provide for co-sharing and co-location (where this is supported by the provider)
d. identifying new growth areas well in advance of their development so that forward planning of the provision of social infrastructure can occur via tools such as structure planning and designations to secure sites for future social infrastructure.
3. Enable the efficient use of land and facilities by providing for complementary activities to occur on social infrastructure sites.
4. Improve connections between social infrastructure and public transport, cycling and walking networks.
5. Manage the transport effects of large scale social infrastructure in an integrated manner.
6. Require social infrastructure to:
a. be safe and functional for its users
b. be sympathetic to the character, both existing and future, of the area and community in which it is located
c. incorporates the principles of sustainable building design
d. maintain the amenity of any adjoining streets and sites.
Methods
Regulatory

Unitary Plan:
•Auckland-wide objectives, policies and rules for: infrastructure, transport; network utilities and energy, subdivision, artworks, lighting, noise and vibration, signs, universal access, sustainable design and temporary activities.
•Zones - objectives, policies and rules for: rural, residential, business, city centre and future urban, cemetery, healthcare facility, major recreation facility, schools, universities and Māori purpose.
•Overlays - objectives, policies and rules for: airport approach path, aircraft noise areas, city centre port noise, high land transport noise and Māori land.
•Precincts - objectives, policies and rules for: observatory, learning, zoo and MOTAT, Auckland Museum and Ngati Whatua o Ōrākei.
•Designations by Requiring Authorities – such as Auckland Council, and the Ministers of Corrections, Courts, Education, Police, Social Development and Tertiary Education for sites to accommodate social infrastructure facilities. 

Bylaws:
•Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw. 

Non-Regulatory

Non-statutory plans and strategies:
•City Centre Master Plan
•Community Facility Network Plans
•asset management plans
•National Infrastructure Plan 2011

Advocacy and education

Monitoring and information gathering

Funding and assistance:
•Developing, maintaining and operating council owned social infrastructure and community facilities (Long Term Plan, Annual Plan)
•Development Contributions Policy
Explanation and reasons
The objectives, policies and methods set out above outline the individual components needed to develop a high quality network of social infrastructure. This is particularly important for a growing city, as increasing numbers of people will rely on this network to meet their needs and enhance their social, economic and cultural well-being.