A highly collaborative design approach to create a ‘Neighbourhood Plan’ was adopted. Over a 12-month period, residents were able to discuss their needs and concerns in workshops, family open days and focus groups. Project newsletters were distributed locally and regular update meetings were held with neighbourhood groups. This approach influenced the design and helped to strengthen the community by bringing people together.

A neighbourhood plan was developed which provided varied housing for a range of household types, sizes and cultures. Boffa Miskell helped to coordinate the housing design work of seven different architectural practices, and completed a landscape plan to unify the neighbourhood and improve the street environment.

We also led successful resource consent applications, for a ‘planned unit development’ (or comprehensive resource consent), the first under Auckland City’s new ‘Residential 8’ zone.

Collecting and recycling roof water, rain gardens and solar water heating were amongst the Environmentally Sustainable Design (EDS) features incorporated in the project. At a larger scale, the design reflects the Auckland City Council’s urban design objectives, the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol, and the Ministry for the Environment’s Sustainable Cities Strategy.

The first stage of the ongoing renewal project was officially opened in March 2006.