Urban Planning stories
Australia faces a 1 percent of GDP infrastructure gap as rapid city growth, labour shortages and slower productivity strain new projects.
Urban developers face rising pressure to add renewable power, fibre and automation as tenants demand cheaper, smarter services.
Poor housing outcomes and pressure on infrastructure could deepen unless councils, central government and industry align on urban growth planning.
Auckland could gain valuable waterfront land and Northland secure a major jobs boost if the freight port is shifted, but the bill is likely to run to billions.
Questions over Auckland's airport rail spending have intensified as Aeromovel is pitched as a way to slash costs and delivery time dramatically.
Three-quarters of industry leaders want central and local government to overhaul how they work, amid warnings that infrastructure delivery is lagging.
A new report says devolving housing and transport could improve delivery, while central government keeps most tax revenue and oversight.
After earthquakes, managers could know within minutes whether buildings are safe, cutting weeks of waiting for engineering reports.
Thousands of New Zealanders could be spared waterborne illness as a new regulator extends oversight to all suppliers and tighter standards.
Businesses and environmental groups say the overhaul could finally fix a dated system unable to handle growth, housing pressure and climate risks.
New dwelling consents are still climbing despite labour and materials constraints, with Auckland’s smaller homes now outpacing standalone houses for the first time.
Auckland’s more permissive zoning is helping ease prices, widen lending and give first-time buyers a better shot at home ownership.
Poor planning is driving up housing costs and holding back productivity, according to Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Stephen Selwood.
Auckland’s housing shortfall is worsening as consent and completion numbers slip, raising pressure on ministers to speed up land release.
Sydney and Brisbane are set for a wave of transport works, as state budgets channel billions into roads, rail and hospitals despite softer revenues.
A national pipeline could help civil contractors avoid boom-bust cycles and invest with more certainty, the industry says.
Micromobility could ease urban congestion, but cities still face safety, regulation and infrastructure gaps as e-bikes and e-scooters spread.
Wellington commuters may still face years of delays, as rapid transit to the airport is not expected before 2029 under the $6.4 billion plan.
Auckland households are now $96 a week worse off than a decade ago, as soaring housing and transport costs drag New Zealand's cities behind Australia’s.
The hexagon-shaped platforms are designed to keep up to 10,000 people safe from floods, tsunamis and hurricanes as seas rise.
