Description

There is growing agreement that medium density housing development is part of the answer to New Zealand’s housing affordability and housing supply issues. However, there is less agreement on what constitutes good quality medium density. Exemplars of best practice (noted from experience and anecdotal evidence) suggest that there is considerable potential to improve design, sustainability and functionality of medium density housing.

This research project looks at how good quality medium density housing might be defined in New Zealand and the elements that make it up. This research has defined the core outcomes which New Zealand would want to see in its future medium density developments. Based around these outcomes, a framework has been developed against which medium density housing can be assessed.

The research has resulted in two assessment tools, one focused on developer input and one focused on residents’ experience. Taken together, these two tools give an integrated picture to developers, enabling them to consider what works and doesn’t work in their design, and where improvements might be made either to the existing development or in future developments. It enables comparison of what the developer believes they have achieved, with an independent site review and with residents’ views what has been successful.

The framework and tools can provide developers, designers, government, and industry with feedback that assists them to plan, design, and build future developments which are liveable, adaptable, sustainable, and healthy for residents, as well as being acceptable to surrounding neighbours.