APARTMENT LIVING: smarter choices into the future
Compact, well designed development within existing centres supports its immediate communities & can deliver real social and environmental benefits. Here's how:
1. Provides a wider variety of housing to suit people/families at different stages of life
Well-designed apartment style living can respond to many flexible layouts and can be adaptable for lifetime home options. There will be a larger proportion of smaller households in the future, with larger numbers of older people, and an increasingly mobile population.
The demand for housing is growing faster than the population as households become smaller. The number of childless couples and sole-parent families has been rising. Both these groups have different housing needs from the traditional New Zealand family. Furthermore, New Zealand has an aging population, with 65+ age group more than doubling in the last 50 years. By 2051, one in four New Zealanders will be 65 and over and half of all New Zealanders will be over the age of 45.
2. Increases housing value through variety of housing in type and ownership
Accessibility to public facilities can positively influence prices. Research shows neighborhood environment as a key factor in the value of the real estate package.
3. Creates better neighbourhoods by providing convenience through a wider variety of living, working & shopping choices
More people living in an area increases the economic viability of local shops & more public transport options, public places and community facilities. Also, places that are not over-dependent on car use enjoy livelier streets and better lifestyle neighbourhoods.
4. Introduces diversity, strengthens sense of identity & place, creates distinctive neighbourhoods
This type of planned growth supports a greater range of local services, facilities and employment, and increases the opportunities for safe walking and cycling. When combined with greenery and attention to detail, it can turn neighbourhoods into desirable places.
5. Encourages transport options, helps lessen dependence on cars and reduces pollution
New Zealand has one of the highest levels of vehicle ownership per-capita in the world. Motor vehicles are one of the main sources of air pollution in our metropolitan areas. Vehicle kilometres have increased as urban density has decreased. Ten years ago, Aucklanders were already making, on average, three trips a day 72% of them by car. Private car use contributes to 42% of NZ's total carbon dioxide emissions.
6. Improves the delivery of public transport
A public transport network is made more viable by bringing residents, employees and visitors closer to the main public transport routes. The Auckland Regional Growth Strategy ties transportation funding to compact town centre development.
7. Improves community health and well being
For most people, exercise is something that happens during the course of the day while shopping, commuting, or walking the dog. Parks and other green spaces encourage people to exercise. If a shop is within walking distance, we are more likely to leave the car behind.
8. Promotes efficient use of infrastructure
Compact centres make better and more efficient use of all existing infrastructure including roads, water and waste water services, as well as reducing the individual cost (recovered through council rates) towards the ongoing maintenance of such infrastructure. It also offers a more affordable, and therefore more likely, delivery of community infrastructure and services such as parks, community places, libraries, etc.
9. Avoids unrestrained suburban sprawl & protects green spaces
Excessive car use, loss of native flora and fauna, serious air and water pollution and the loss of valuable rural land are now understood to be the alarming consequences of unrestrained suburban sprawl.