New Zealand

Social Distancing

Second Anniversary of the COVID-19 Pandemic

March 11 marked the second anniversary of WHO's declaration of the pandemic and the beginning of its third year. Cases continue to plummet in the U.S. and plateau globally while war in Europe has overshadowed the virus that has killed 6 million.

March 16, 2022 - The Associated Press

New Zealand

Zoning Reform: Lessons From New Zealand

The island nation is mandating mid-density zoning requirements and transit-oriented development in an effort to increase housing affordability and encourage compact development.

January 27, 2022 - The Brookings Institution

New Zealand Bus Transit

New Zealand Approves Sweeping Land Use Reforms

The five largest cities in New Zealand will be zoned to allow townhouses. The latest bill continues a recent string of zoning reforms.

December 15, 2021 - Stuff

New Zealand parliament

New Zealand Lawmakers Propose Countrywide 'Medium Density Residential Standards'

The country of New Zealand could take the drastic step of implementing planning reforms that allow more dense residential developments throughout the country.

October 20, 2021 - Stuff

New Zealand

New Zealand's Climate Change Commission Provides Comprehensive Solutions

New Zealand’s Climate Change Commission, He Pou a Rangi ("a Pillar of the Sky"), recently released a Draft Advice for Consultation Report that describes necessary steps to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.

February 16, 2021 - He Pou a Rangi Draft Advice for Consultation

Children Playing

Study Reveals the Insights of Children in the Planning Process

A recent study of preschoolers shows that small children are intuitive urban planners—if anyone ever listens.

January 11, 2021 - The Conversation

Wynyard Quarter

Considering Transportation Impacts on Well-Being and Livability

The New Zealand Transport Agency’s new report, "Transport Impacts on Wellbeing and Liveability" provides guidance for transportation planning that achieves fairness, neighborliness, respect, community identity, pride, fitness, and health.

October 23, 2020 - Transport Impacts on Wellbeing and Liveability: Literature Summary

New Zealand parliament

Well Done, Kiwis! New Zealand Delivers Big Planning Policy Reforms

New Zealand’s new national urban development policy prohibits parking minimums and increases allowable building heights near transit stations. This is a watershed moment for the country’s cities and towns.

July 28, 2020 - Todd Litman

New Zealand Bus Transit

New Zealand Eliminates Parking Minimums and Height Limits to Increase Urban Infill

Once again, New Zealand shows the way! The national government's new urban development policy will eliminate off-street parking requirements and remove low height-limits near transit stations to encourage more efficient infill development.

July 28, 2020 - Stuff

Coronavirus Social Distancing

Coronavirus Success Stories

While the U.S. leads the world in COVID-19 infections and deaths, a small group of nations defied the odds and has shown remarkable success in containing the coronavirus. NPR investigates what they share in common, with a focus on New Zealand.

June 8, 2020 - NPR

New Zealand Bus Transit

Smashing Transit Ridership Success in New Zealand

The city of Auckland, in New Zealand, set a goal to double its transit ridership in ten years. With a little under four years left to achieve that goal, the city is already well on its way.

March 31, 2019 - Stuff, New Zealand

New Zealand Bars Foreigners from Buying Residences

Homes are getting more expensive in New Zealand, so they're making it illegal for foreigners to buy homes in the country.

August 26, 2018 - The Spaces

New Zealand

'Pedestrian Congestion' Hurts the Economy Too

There's an economic cost for making pedestrians wait at stoplights, according to a new study.

September 5, 2017 - Aukland Now

New Zealand

River Given Human Status

A New Zealand river revered by the Maori people is granted the status of a living being by the country's parliament.

March 17, 2017 - BBC

Complete Street Vancouver

Bike Infrastructure Study: Bigger Investments Return Bigger Payoff

You get what you pay for, goes the old saying, and a new study out of New Zealand makes the case that when it comes investing in bike infrastructure, it's best to invest in quality.

August 18, 2014 - FastCompany Exist

Preservation of World's Cultural Treasures Goes Digital

Using high definition scanners, digital modeling, and Scan-to-BIM software, consultants and non-profits are helping to restore historic structures following natural disasters, and cataloging treasures before calamity strikes.

October 7, 2013 - The Architect's Newspaper

Ghost bike in New York

Are the Dangers of Cycling Over-Hyped?

It goes without saying that cycling entails a degree of risk - but are they unduly discussed to the point that it reduces ridership? Cyclicious blogger Richard Masoner gave the issue thought when he heard of a cyclist fatality in a familiar area.

September 23, 2013 - Cyclicious

Play Planner With Auckland Growth Simulator

In a quest to develop a plan to house the additional 1 million people expected to grow New Zealand's largest city in the next 30 years, Auckland is asking residents to submit ideas by using a "housing simulator" game.

April 23, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

More Transit for the Same Cost? Auckland Plan Shows How

An innovate plan to reconceive Auckland's transit network from the ground up led by Jarrett Walker demonstrates the dramatic efficiencies that can be gained, without additional cost, by increasing transfers.

October 11, 2012 - Human Transit

Will Auckland Pass Up Yet Another Opportunity to Transform its Waterfront

After many, many, many failures-to-launch, Auckland may finally be taking its waterfront seriously. A series of articles in The New Zealand Herald explores the waterfront's disappointing past and promising future.

September 30, 2012 - The New Zealand Herald

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.