Our Vision

Creating Urban Communities Together.

Purpose

To be the champion for great urban development, providing a platform for collaboration in order to achieve resilient, sustainable and healthy communities for all New Zealanders.

Values

• Collaboration and partnership

• Excellence

• Learning

• Transparency.

Objectives

1. Define and advocate for a new and excellent urban development paradigm for Aotearoa New Zealand.

2. Provide a neutral environment for the wider sector to work together and with government to reduce uncertainty and increase consistency between policy jurisdictions, as well as aligning policy and implementation.

3. Facilitate collaboration around best practice, connecting and coordinating people working in urban development.

4. Build knowledge through provision of data, evidence-based research and domestic and international learning.

5. Provide and support talent development and training.

Legal Form

UDINZ is registered in New Zealand as an Incorporated Society.

UDINZ Work programme to deliver objectives

Around 86% of New Zealanders live in urban areas but there is little consensus about what makes a “sense of place” in those communities.  There are many contributing factors. UDINZ focuses on issues that its members broadly agree are relevant and compelling and in which UDINZ can effect change. It aims to lead the development of an “NZ Inc” approach.

1. Define and advocate for a new and excellent urban development paradigm

   • Although there is some research in some universities, New Zealand has comparatively little literature or codified body of practice around the development of strong and liveable urban communities. The public debate is often characterised by simplistic and unfounded assertions. UDINZ aspires to draw together contemporary thinking and to be an authoritative and informed voice in this conversation.

   • By having membership from a broad body of disciplines, and including organisations and individuals, UDINZ can catalyse thoughtful discussion and agreement on what leads to urban development that is appropriate and sustainable in all senses of the words.

   • Those engaged in the development sector are often characterised negatively. UDINZ encourages intelligent scrutiny of the sector and highlights the delivery of exemplar products and solutions.

2. Provide a neutral environment for the wider sector to work together and with government to reduce uncertainty and increase consistency between policy jurisdictions and to create alignment between policy and implementation

   • Public sector policy, planning and consequent regulation are critical, yet often ignore the challenges faced by the private sector which is relied on to deliver. Often there is a deficit of mutual understanding of needs and barriers. UDINZ is keen to work with public sector decision-makers (central and local government) to ensure that the built environment is underpinned by policies and regulations appropriate for the time and for the aspirations of society.

   • Agile and responsive decision-making within regulatory frameworks is also critical and UDINZ will work with any responsible authorities to help transform operational approach and behaviour, providing a platform for dialogue as well as training and examples of best practice.

   • Appropriate infrastructure and transport are essential for urban development and place-making. UDINZ has a role in facilitating the wider sector working with government to ensure that these basic requirements meet current and future needs

3. Facilitate collaboration around best practice connecting and coordinating people working in urban development

   • Through its membership and outreach UDINZ brings together diverse people who may not normally interact to share success and best practice in all aspects of urban development, from design to construction. Good practice will lead to better management of development and build costs and thus assist with a sustainable pipeline of quality projects to benefit both the sector and the public.

   • Appropriate financing is critical, so UDINZ sees the finance and banking sectors as key partners to explore new, alternative models.

4. Build knowledge through provision of data, evidence based research and domestic and international learning

   • UDINZ is committed to best practice and its communications and training reflect this. Easy access to information and case studies is critical for both members and non-members.

   • UDINZ encourages the sharing of data and experience, harnessing data held by members, facilitating impartial research and access to other relevant research (domestic or international) for members.

   • UDINZ advocates for and supports development of ways to improve the adoption, certification and knowledge of new building products, technologies, processes and initiatives. It supports exploring ways to digitise the sector to enable wider and faster innovation in urban development.

5. Provide and support talent development and training

   • There is currently little provision of training or education for those engaged in all parts of the urban development process. While professional qualifications are necessary in some areas of work, others are open to anyone. UDINZ supports the provision of training through seminars and courses online and in person. Training might be directly by UDINZ or by other parties supported by UDINZ.

   • From time to time UDINZ will organise for specific groups of members discussions between members or with appropriate outside experts.

   • UDINZ also hosts an annual conference to bring together the sector and associated interests.