Typologies and Basic Descriptors of New Zealand Residential Urban Forms

Abstract

This paper presents an urban taxonomy or classification system for New Zealand settlement forms across five urban scales: metropolitan/regional, sub-metropolitan/city; community/neighbourhood; local/residential block and houses/micro. It provides taxonomical descriptions and density patterns of existing and emerging New Zealand residential urban forms at neighbourhood and local levels. Considering seven case studies in the Auckland Region, this paper formulates a set of basic quantitative urban form descriptors within the urban taxonomical framework. An analysis of these descriptors indicates that dwelling and household densities and spatial distributions of built-up roof areas, vegetation, productive land, impervious pavements and pathways reflect their urban form characteristics. These varying qualities can be linked to the appraisal of environmental sustainability performances of different urban forms.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the FRST funded ‘Learning Sustainability’ programme involving Landcare Research in collaboration with Opus International Consultants Ltd and the University of Auckland. They would also like to thank anonymous referees for their important comments and their colleagues, particularly Dr Daniel Rutledge, for their suggestions. Many thanks to all who provided enormous help in sourcing relevant materials.