CityScope shaping Hamilton intelligently, sustainably and creatively
CityScope is an integral component of a range of initiatives designed to ensure that Hamilton is well-placed to positively address the challenges and opportunities that we will be faced with over the coming years and reflect the dreams and aspirations of Hamilton's community.
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Why is that building going there? What influenced your choice of materials? Where is the green space? Have you considered..? CityScope is Hamilton’s city design strategy, created to ensure we work together to make Hamilton everything it can be and more. There is a very real sense that Hamilton has come of age, and as we move forward we need to take a more strategic and less ad hoc approach to our city design and development. The objective is to build a city operating to international best practice standards – a city that’s known internationally for its unique design, stunning architecture, exciting public spaces and all-round functionality. A city we can all be proud of.
The scale and pace of growth in Hamilton is at an unprecedented level. Economic, geographical, political and lifestyle advantages have aligned to underpin sustained growth and investment in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. At the same time Hamilton residents have become more confident and aspirational about their city. Renewed energy and optimism has translated into a new and distinctive expression of our unique local identity.
It is Council’s vision that Hamilton’s evolving urban form and built environment will deliver positive social, economic and environmental outcomes that have sometimes been missing from ad hoc development in the past. Future development in Hamilton should embrace international practice in planning, urban design and sustainability and play the central role in delivering on a Distinctively Hamilton positioning.
CityScope is a watershed milestone and a positive fundamental shift in strategic planning for how the city will grow and develop in the decades ahead.
Successful cities are increasingly those that offer excitement and stimulus to those who live or work in them and to those who visit them. They promote diversity and vitality, create a high quality and safe environment, improve opportunities for mobility, strengthen and support local communities and offer opportunities for investment and facilitate economic prosperity.
The economic future of the city and all its residents is the key to the creation of a lively future for Hamilton. Creating the conditions that improve economic prospects by boosting employment, by ensuring that residents benefit from the creation of new jobs and the retention of existing jobs and by offering a lifestyle and vibrant environment which attracts and retains the best talent available – quality development and good design is a fundamental part of this.
Hamilton city is a signatory to the NZ Urban Design Protocol in 2005 a government initiative. By using quality urban design we increase our opportunity of becoming:
- A competitive place that thrives economically and facilitates creativity and innovation
- A liveable place that provides a choice of housing, work and lifestyle options
- An environmentally responsible place that manages all aspects of the environment sustainably
- An inclusive place that offers opportunities for all citizens
- A distinctive place that has a strong identity and sense of place
- A well-governed place that has a shared vision and sense of direction
This will mean less crime, greater safety, healthier local economies, vitality in the streets and better health. It should give developers more confidence to make the extra investment needed to deliver high quality urban development. When done well, urban design is profitable, offering benefits over time for developers and the wider community. Good urban design is not just a 'nice to do', it is a must do.
The purpose of CityScope is to establish a framework to guide the city towards a sustainable, quality urban environment. It is not about the look of buildings but the whole 'look and feel' of the city. It is about how the buildings, spaces and places of the city all contribute towards making the city more livable, enjoyable and valuable for people. |
CityScope goes beyond traditional urban design initiatives in that it embraces all aspects of Civic Leadership that relate to the future development of the built environment.
CityScope proposes a three-year programme of initiatives aimed at improving the design quality of Hamilton’s built environment.
Initiatives include new programmes and existing programme that will be aligned with CityScope as it evolves. |
Overview:
CityScope is founded upon a number of key principles established to ensure we continue to reflect the aims and aspirations of Council and the community of Hamilton.
Overview:
CityScope will assist and empower those who wish to make a positive contribution to improving the quality of Hamilton’s built environment.
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CityScope will address strategic initiatives that have a direct and significant impact on the built environment of Hamilton.
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CityScope will assist and empower those who wish to make a positive contribution to improving the quality of Hamilton’s built environment.
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CityScope will promote and publicly recognise design quality within Hamilton’s built environment and educate key city stakeholders in the importance of good urban design.
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Hamilton City Council will ‘model the way’ in respect of capital projects and encourage all stakeholders to actively support those aspiring to deliver high quality urban design within the city. |
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The journey
CityScope articulates a vision and a framework to guide the decision-making processes of Council, private sector development and the community as a whole. The introduction of CityScope creates an opportunity for Council and the community to embrace a more holistic approach to development.
Examples of CityScope in action are the new SMART subdivision and the Sustainable Urban Design lecture series being held in November:
Inception to implementation
In December 2005 Hamilton's mayor lead a presentation to developers outlining Council's intentions and aspirations around CityScope, Access Hamilton and the CBD Development strategies. The presentation was well received by a full house and in that supportive enviroment Council initiated a new process for reviewing and receiving resource consent applications, particularly focusing on the benefits of pre-application discussions.
In April 2006 CityScope was made available for wide public feedback as part of Council's Proposed Long Term Plan 2006-16. The summary document was sent to all city households and public feedback overwhelmingly supported CityScope. Council formally adopted the strategy at it's 5 July 2006 meeting.
Urban Design Advisory Panel
A key strand of CityScope is to improve processes, to assist and empower those who wish to make a positive contribution to improving the quality of Hamilton’s built environment. The strategy proposed including design assessments as a material consideration in resource consent approvals. An urban design advisory panel is one of several tools to improve design quality in development proposals and provide advice to Hamilton’s development and professional communities.
The purpose of the urban design advisory panel is to:
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Support Hamilton’s CityScope vision: champion the benefits of good urban design in Hamilton’s communities – residents, developers and professionals
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Provide urban design advice for private development: provide advice and recommendations to applicants and council advisers, as part of the consent process for significant developments
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Provide advice to council on capital projects and policy: review and advise on key projects, policies and strategies which influence the quality of the city’s built environment and can demonstrate sustainable urban development
Scope of project advice
The panel’s primary remit is to advise on projects with significant public interest, or in locations which are key to the identity of the city. The projects will also be of a scale that warrants the attention of the panel.
Council currently has a policy for pre-application meetings with staff planners and/or urban designers for proposals that meet certain criteria for urban design, CBD location or Access Hamilton initiatives. At that pre-application meeting, officers will assess with applicants whether the proposal would benefit from review by the panel.
Council recommends that applicants present to the panel early in the design process, to seek advice while changes can be made, and before large investment is made in complete consent documentation.
Vista
Vista will be used as the basis for Hamilton's newly formed Urban Design Panel in the review of significant development proposals in the city. Vista outlines Hamilton’s expectations for better-designed environments – describing how a well-designed place should look, feel and function. The guide highlights key urban design principles considered fundamental to Hamilton’s development as a prosperous, memorable and sustainable city. |
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New process for resource consents
Early discussion with Council's Planning Guidance Unit is recommended for all development proposals, irrespective of their location, size, or whether a resource consent is required. This will allow Council staff to comment on proposals and provide advice that might enhance the contribution the new development could make to the existing environment.
Development which, because of its size, scale, location or nature is likely to be of significant public interest, will involve Council's Urban Design Advisory Panel. The Panel will be available from the pre-design stage and will provide feedback to Council staff and applicants on measures that could be taken to achieve the highest possible urban design outcome within the regulatory framework of the District Plan. No charge will be made for use of the Panel.
This process of constructive dialogue will increase certainty for developers and ensure design outcomes for Hamilton city meet the standards expected by CityScope.
If you have a query related to CityScope, please email us:
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it's your city...
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Community input
The success of CityScope will be dependent on the actions and contributions made by the people of Hamilton and in particular the stakeholders, institutions and investors who will shape Hamilton’s future. The CityScope initiative has already stimulated widespread, robust and healthy debate on the future of Hamilton’s urban environment and has received the active support of key industry stakeholders and professional institutions.
Additional feedback and support from those members of the community who share our concerns for the future health and success of Hamilton will help Council to ensure that CityScope reflects the aspirations of all those who live, work or seek to invest in Hamilton.
We invite you to offer your comments, contributions and support! |
