The concept of ‘Transition Towns’ is not well known, yet a dedicated bunch of people the length and breadth of New Zealand are working away to future-proof our towns and cities. The concept of Transition Towns first took shape in … Read more
The big apple is no longer rosy red but gaining a greenish hue instead… As one of the developed world’s densest cities, New York is usually well ahead of the pack in divining shifts in our evolving common attitude to … Read more
Who ever heard of Swedish ingenuity? The city of Malmö is leading the way to a sustainable future. You could say that Scandinavians are the New Zealanders of the north. They have a healthy, outdoor approach to life thanks to … Read more
Canterbury University vice chancellor Rod Carr says while it’s easy to look at what fell down, Christchurch is still the second largest urban centre in New Zealand, and it remains home to more than 300,000 people. Fifty years ago the … Read more
While central Christchurch gets reduced to a vast parking lot, repair work is being done at tens of thousands of private homes around the city. The Earthquake Commission, which covers up to the first $100,000 of damage, contracted Fletcher Construction … Read more
Christchurch is known as the Garden City, and Aaron Jones from Urban Function Architecture believes that should guide the way the city is rebuilt. He is excited by the vision in the council plan. “We need to make sure this … Read more
Element readers have spoken on the Auckland Draft Waste Minimisation Plan. Over 700 responses were received, which are outlined below. The percentages add up to over 100%, because respondents were allowed to tick more than one box. Very good scheme, … Read more
There’s no denying Auckland’s unpredictable weather, but we still boast around 2050 hours of sunshine a year, somewhere around the national average. And yet Auckland installs a mere 10 per cent of the national solar water heating systems being implemented around the country.
A new island off Westhaven for Bohemian art and craft types. A redundant motorway ramp turned into a green pathway. Pedestrianisation of Queen, Quay and Fanshawe Streets. A tunnel under the harbour for both vehicles and trains. The Draft Auckland plan is bold and ambitious.
