Do we have the capacity to respond to the changing rules? Implementing urban design in New Zealand Viv Heslop & Sherilyn Gray
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Planners as resource management specialists but how? Planners as facilitators of urban design What capacity building is needed?
Outline of presentation what is capacity building why it is important for planners the changing rules an integrated capacity building model how we are responding to capacity building issues future challenges to the planning profession
What is capacity building not a new idea too often focused on upskilling individuals recognition that everyone needs to play a part in delivering better urban design outcomes capacity building is holistic and integrated & incorporates skills, processes, practices
Why it is important for planners the process of creating better urban environment architects, landscape architects, engineers, surveyors, developers & planners planning & planners can bridge the gap between professions & facilitate the development of sustainable towns & cities planners need to be integral in implementing urban design planners facilitate good process
The changing rules for implementing urban design - what does this mean?
A soccer analogy In soccer you have: the rules - controlling how game is played players - how teams are organised to play coaches - how players get the skills they need to play the game cheerleaders - those who inspire the players umpires - those who decide if the game is being played fair
Translating this to urban design implementation
The rules what it will take to implement urban design being intent-focused ability to diagnose key relationships organisational strengthening leadership, dialogue, advocacy thinking in time & thinking in space adopting a learning perspective innovation & creativity good management of projects, people, finance, time
The players how we structure ourselves within organsations between organisations amongst key stakeholders
The coaches urban design champions confidence, enabling environment The cheerleaders strong leaders being able to inspire on the need for change & to push the change recognise, develop & support this talent
The umpires those who judge & critique progress people, people, people
An integrated view of capacity building
Aspects of capacity building Human Resources (i.e. individuals) Intraorganisational capacity Interorganisational capacity External institutional rules & incentives
Human Resources (i.e. individuals) The process of equipping people with the understanding & skills, and access to knowledge & information to perform effectively understand why urban design is important greater emphasis on process-related & soft skills communication cooperation conflict resolution build coalition infrastructure facilitation negotiation creativity reflection ability to understand other perspectives understand the process
Human Resources (i.e. individuals) The process of equipping people with the understanding & skills, and access to knowledge & information to perform effectively Some of the tools: training - in-house and external secondments seminars networks
To achieve this the organisational environment must be dynamic & responsive
Intraorganisational capacity The process by which things get done collectively within an organisation multiple parts of organisations involved in delivering urban design - this will require new & different organisational structures & relationships collaboration - genuine exchange of needs, ideas, responsibilities and control communication - internal communication critical recognition of tools - LTCCP s, urban design strategies
Interorganisational capacity The process by which things get done collectively between organisations networks - informal, more about process than procedures & structures, based on trust & reciprocity collaboration - genuine exchange of needs, ideas, responsibilities and control on-going learning & reflection needs to be supported communication recognition of tools - regional strategies, START
These changes need to be supported by institutional development
External institutional rules & incentives the legal & regulatory changes that have to be made in order to enable organisations & agencies at all levels & in all sectors to enhance their capacities strategies - NZ Urban Design Protocol National Policy Statements Local Government Act 2002 - sustainable development focus support & recognise soft skills support informal networks, collaboration promote for open communication promote & support open monitoring & evaluation
How we are responding to capacity building issues
New Zealand Urban Design Protocol calls for step up in quality of urban design MfE research into capacity issues & how we can deliver on this aim Local government urban design skills survey (May 2006) Action Plan progress survey (Oct 2006)
Opportunities & issues variable understanding and uptake of urban design regional and rural councils variable support & buy-in politicians, management, staff lack of urban design principles incorporated into planning strategies and processes shortage of specialist urban design skills signatories higher awareness of issues recognition of need to build-up understanding ( inter & intra ) call for continued support, resources, communication & collaboration better integration of urban design into strategic policy frameworks
Central government reviewing the Protocol s supporting information & resources identifying urban design & urban design related courses working with education institutes & professional institutes developing more visual types of resources developing more urban design case studies facilitating better information coordination & information sharing providing increased/enhanced access to urban design expertise
No need to re-invent the wheel NZPI urban design training - existing local council initiatives - including training (HCC, TCC) new training development - NZPI, NZIS, IPENZ, NZILA tools for change - researchers case study portal
No need to re-invent the wheel the CABE enabling service Provides free advice to public sector organisations that are commissioning new buildings, masterplans, urban frameworks or green space strategies CABE s urban design summer school Detroit Collaborative Design Centre Greater Vancouver Green Guide
Issuing a challenge planners need to re-focus our attention & skills on strengthening capacity to support more sustainable urban outcomes need to embrace a diverse range of practices, processes & skills for the outcomes we want re-discovering old skills & learning some new planners can take the lead & lead the charge recognition that it will take time
Some C s Confidence Creative & innovative Collaborative Connected to the community Communicating benefits
Contact details Viv Heslop viv@vivacity.co.nz Sherilyn Gray sherilyn.gray@mfe.govt.nz