Embracing kaitiakitanga for a sustainable future

The 2023 Urbanism Aotearoa conference discussed how we shape our urban places for resiliency within the ‘Regenerative’ theme, with presentations on both days of the event.

Our speakers agreed that in our rapidly changing world, the need for resiliency has never been more important and that by incorporating kaitiakitanga into our urban planning and decision-making processes, we can create cities that are not only environmentally sustainable but also socially and economically resilient.

Breaking the urban myth

Current economic models often prioritise profit over people and the environment, leading to housing sprawl and higher living costs that are out of reach for many. The speakers propose that by embracing scale, partnerships and a different business model, we can break the urban myth that affordability is impossible to achieve.

Navigating uncertainties and complexity

Traditional approaches to urban planning often struggle to address the uncertainties and complexities of our future challenges. The speakers emphasised the need for intentional focus on place-sourced, culture-led, and community-fed planning. Engaging with communities and building relationships through a timeline for engagement is crucial in creating successful urban places. Additionally, the recognition of frameworks like Te Ara Awataha sets a precedent for incorporating indigenous knowledge and practices into planning processes.

Holistic Approach

The impact of climate change on physical health cannot be ignored. The focus on GDP and wealth as measures of success has not made us happier and has contributed to increasing social issues. The speakers advocated for true partnerships that prioritise the creation of better and healthier environments. They emphasised the connection between the health of the land and the well-being of communities when designing and developing urban spaces including the incorporation of green spaces, and walking and cycling infrastructure to promote physical activity and mental well-being.

Collaboration for Vibrant Cities

Creating vibrant cities requires the active involvement of communities. The speakers stressed the importance of collaboration, co-design, and co-creation to bring communities on the journey of shaping their urban places. Social connection is a fundamental aspect of vibrant cities and fostering this connection through bringing diverse stakeholders together and supporting initiatives is key to creating thriving communities.

How do we shape our future?

To move forward, we must look at historical knowledge by empowering Mana Whenua partnerships – Te ao Māori should be included at the onset as they provide the cultural foundations of our communities. Our speakers proposed creating guardians of ‘place’ through our local schools and communities; recognising and respecting the cultural heritage and knowledge of indigenous communities; and advocated for equity in decision-making and care for the vulnerable. In addition, a ’charter of shared values’ was proposed to establish shared vision and purpose as reconnecting communities has a huge impact on the local environment.

The current siloed approach to urban planning and development is no longer viable. To reduce emissions and create sustainable urban places, a systems thinking approach is needed. This means considering the contributions of agriculture, transportation, and the built environment as interconnected parts of a whole. By enabling thriving living systems, we can create stronger and healthier cities.

Leveraging Change

Understanding the barriers and enablers for change is crucial in shaping resilient urban places. Discussion in the Regenerative theme questioned the concept of ‘de-growth’ (or post-growth), challenging the notion that economic growth is the sole path to success and asked for leadership and vision, as these are what is needed to drive change. Behaviour change, establishing shared values, and building trust and relationships are all essential components of creating resilient urban places.