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Item If the resource management act's use-by-date has arrived - What might replace it?(School of Architecture & Planning, NCAI, University of Auckland, 2015) Miller CL; Taylor, P; Crawford, JItem Evaluating ethics in planning : a heuristic framework for a just city : a thesis presented for partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Resource and Environmental Planning at Massey University, Manawatū(Massey University, 2021) Ross, JoannaMany urban planners are engaged with the idea that cities should be ‘Just’: that is, planning should facilitate good outcomes for the people who choose to live and work in cities, particularly the least advantaged. The concept of a just city is an evolving planning paradigm which focuses on the needs of the least advantaged. This thesis revisits existing ideas of what constitutes a just city and explores why planners should care about the effects of ethics on its realisation. It extends conceptual understandings of what constitutes a ‘just city’, through a focus on care ethics and kindness. Then, by developing and applying the Just City Plan Evaluation Approach (JCPEA), it presents a heuristic framework to surface embedded ethics invoked in planning policy. Ethics in urban planning have not been systematically considered in practice for decades. This inattention can be partially attributed to the distancing of planners from their role as public interest advocates, the multiplicity of competing views about what ethics should or could inform planning policy, and the lack of a systematic, formal approach to evaluate them. Yet normative views of what constitutes right and wrong are central to theoretical debates about planning and are used to inform arguments for or against policy. For decades, ethics of justice have dominated these debates. However, increasing calls for virtue ethics to complement justice ethics present an opportunity for the planning profession to reimagine its role as advocates for the public interest. The JCPEA is based on a theoretical understanding of: (a) theories of justice (b) care ethics, and (c) Fainstein’s concept of the just city and her three just city principles (equity, diversity, and democracy). It enables ethical arguments in planning discourse to be evaluated against four criteria – extent, focus, merit, and power, using both political discourse analysis and a Foucauldian-type discourse analysis. The application of this dual-method approach, to a suite of planning documents from Auckland, New Zealand, proved useful in identifying and evaluating ethics and power in planning. The current intention to replace the Resource Management Act 1991, provides an opportune time to begin a conversation about ethics in plans, to focus on particular ethics, to address the silences, ruptures, and subsequent power imbalances in planning discourse, and to take steps not just towards the realisation of just city ethics and principles in practice, but also to reflect on planning more broadly. Drawing on and extending existing just city narratives, this thesis posits kindness, a practical response to the needs of others, as a principle to invoke in planning policy. This principle of kindness is grounded in an ethic of care, but also sits within an emerging post-secular and intersectional approach to address injustice. It is an ethic that was first signaled by New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern in a speech to the UN General Assembly in 2018, when she called for ‘kindness’ as a means of pursuing peace, prosperity, and fairness, and which subsequently became part of the New Zealand response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Invoking kindness represents a step-change in ethics informing government policy and was a signal to the world that there is another way of governing. It is also an ethic that lends itself to planning practice. This thesis argues that exposing and discussing the ethical basis of planning discourse using this heuristic framework provides the means to give agency to planners to act as non-neutral arbiters of the public interest, and as parrhesiastes focussing on the needs of the least advantaged.Item Shopping centre planning in Palmerston North : a suggested strategy : a paper presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Master of Arts in Geography at Massey University(Massey University, 1968) Le Heron, Richard BThe rapid development of diversified multi-functional integrated shopping centres throughout the world has led one American observer to hail the "shopping environment" of such centres one of the new urban forms of the twentieth century. Palmerston North cannot even boast a large size planned shopping centre. It does, however, have a wide range of variously distributed centres, developed in accord with demand or as speculative ventures. This paper seeks to order and direction planning views on shopping centres in Palmerston North. A tentative strategy is consturcted and briefly applied to the Terrace End shopping centre complex. The author acknowledges the dual compilation and application of the Questionnaire for Retailers and Shoppers, with Mr B.R. Kells, a fellow geography masterate student at Massey University. The information collected and presented in the Shopping Centre Strategy could not have been obtained without the cooperation and time of shoppers and retailers in the shopping centres visited. Access to Valuation Department records is also gratefully acknowlewdged. [From Preface]Item Community formation and protectionism in Auckland's intensification process : exploring opportunities and complexities of high(er)-density planning in a low-density city : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health, Massey University, Aotearoa New Zealand(Massey University, 2018) Dolan, Edward CharlesA rapid population increase due to increasing migration, escalating house prices and supply issues have led to a ‘housing crisis’ in Auckland. These challenges, in addition to efforts to curb suburban sprawl and improve community outcomes, have made intensification a priority for Auckland Council. However, intensification creates tension between stakeholders, not only in relation to the end-product which some consider unsatisfactory or discordant in existing low-density neighbourhoods, but because of perceived shortcomings in the process as well. As this process gains momentum, traditional ideas about community are being challenged, reimagined and protected. This thesis reports on a longitudinal interview and focus-group based study, and examines how intensification and community formation processes are experienced and interpreted by a range of stakeholders including new and existing residents, developers, Auckland Council and community interest groups. It also examines challenges in the intensification process, especially related to place-attachment and place-protectionism amongst existing communities in response to proposed or planned change. This research interprets phenomena through social, spatial and temporal lenses, of which each is given equal weighting, and is consistent with social constructionism which recognises multiple ‘knowledges’ and ‘truths’. Findings reveal a diversity of views regarding community, both at a conceptual level and as an outcome which is derived from specific processes and influences. Representing either a group of people bound by commonality, a personal feeling of belonging, or a resource providing members with benefits, notions of community and community outcomes are increasingly important to stakeholders in Auckland’s intensification process. However, institutional distrust in the planning process poses a threat to achieving successful community outcomes, with schisms and tensions evident between stakeholders. While a degree of conflict is inevitable in a democratic system, findings suggest that intensification will be more successful, both in terms of outputs and public acceptance, if institutional distrust (where it exists) is replaced by forms of critical trust in the planning system as well as in the stakeholders operating within it.Item How then could we live? Towards the pragmatic creation of sustainable ecological habitus in cities : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Management at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand(Massey University, 2018) Taylor, Alice DenaCreating ecologically sustainable ways of life is desirable, necessary, and urgent for the collective future of life on Earth. Although this is acknowledged, aspired to, and increasingly pursued in action, broad-scale sustainability remains unrealised. Western cities offer a strategic place to exemplify and accelerate global sustainability transitions. Such cities are characterised by dense human populations with excessive per capita resource use, but they can also be cornucopias of economic development, progressive politics, and diverse culture and correspondingly act at global hotspots of innovation and change. This exploratory research proposes pragmatic backcasted pathways for furthering such change, constructing future visions of more sustainable ways of life in Western cities, identifying present day barriers to realising these, and generating practical solutions ‘here and now’ that could contribute strategically to overcoming the barriers, towards a sustainable future. An insight and foresight rich distillation of evidence-based knowledge and practical experience was generated to inform these pathways, through qualitative interviews with 25 esteemed experts specialising in fields of socio-ecology and cities, including planning, design, sociology, psychology, philosophy, art, activism, economics, and government. To analyse this data and conceptualise alternative pathways, ‘ecological habitus’, an emergent socio-ecological theory, was developed and employed as a practical framework for conceptually linking broad-scale socio-ecological issues with everyday practice; analysing the inter-dependent variables (e.g. normative, material, social, and psychological) of social reproduction and change; and assessing their sustainability at different scales (e.g. individual and institutional). Two components were added to the theory: ‘natural capital’ (the ecological/biophysical factors within socio-ecological relationships), and 'ecological reflexivity’ (people’s responses to natural capital whether intentional-critical, periodic-conscious, or routine-subconscious). These enhance ecological habitus as a versatile tool for socio-ecological and sustainability-transition research. The ultimate research outcomes are three backcasted pathways towards a future of ‘sustainable ecological habitus’, which could begin pragmatically with: collaborative practice among city authorities to develop as ecologically-reflexive sustainability leaders and overcome disciplinary silos; strategic enrichment of cities with accessible, place-based natural capital to enhance human nature connection; and everyday self-, or socially-directed sustainability micro-interventions among city-dwellers, to incrementally grow mainstream sustainable ecological habitus. These actions combined could accelerate sustainable ecological habitus in Western cities and beyond. The power is ours.Item Squatting problems in Indonesia : a research study presented to the Institute of Development Studies, Massey University, Palmerston North - New Zealand in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Philosophy(Massey University, 1994) Buldansyah, Mochamad BadrMost of urban dwellers in developing countries have been squatting too long. This is a phenomenon also characteristic of Indonesia. Big cities like Jakarta and Surabaya attract rural people who migrate because of poverty pressure in rural areas. The national development programs in Indonesia have resulted in extraordinary economic growth. However, at the same time, these development policies have created some social imbalances which in turn have lead to and maintained the squatter settlement problem in the cities. This research finds that there are some policies that can be carried out in order to reduce these problems. Possible solutions are derived from both direct and indirect actions. Direct solutions should be associated with the squatters themselves, in which the policies are aimed to improve their condition, economically and socially. Finally, indirect solutions should be addressed to rural development and specifically, the control of unoccupied land. All in all, policies should be carried out both in urban areas where the problem of squatting exists and in the rural areas, being the main source of the problem.Item Geography and planning in Palmerston North : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Geography at Massey University(Massey University, 1969) Warren, Vernon Richard CrossThe statement that "planning has an inescapable geographical basis"¹ is in some respects a truism since town and country planning by its nature must operate within a territorial context. It follows that geography and planning should stand in some direct relationship to each other but the question of degree of relationship is open to debate. This present work is an attempt to explore and test the contribution which geographical studies of an area can make to one stage of the planning process - the compilation and analysis of planning data. Town planning in New Zealand has reached an interesting and critical stage of development. Although comprehensive planning legislation has been in effect since 1926 it is only since the passing of the 1953 Town and Country Planning Act that widespread efforts have been made to prepare planning schemes. During this period as problems have been encountered and experience in the preparation and administration of schemes have been accumulated, critical attention has been focused on the efficacy of both the legislation and the resultant schemes. As a result of this scrutiny substantial amendments were made to the legislation in early 1967. [From Preface]Item He tokotoko mo nga tangata : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Regional and Environmental Planning at Massey University(Massey University, 1992) Aim, Clive BruceTHE PROBLEM Urban river corridor areas are often subject to damaging use and to increasing pressure from conflicting uses. The main issue is the need to utilise the characteristics of a river and its margins within a city while integrating it into the city's life and preserving its ecological functions. The aim of the thesis is to develop a planning framework to address this issue. Information from various disciplines contribute to the River Corridor Planning Framework. The main areas researched are landscape aesthetics, ecology, recreation styles and public participation in planning. The study of landscape aesthetics reveals universally valued natural landscape features, and in part justifies concern for, and planning action in, river margin areas. The potential for river corridor areas to host significant ecological functions is shown in the ecological study, and brings an additional aspect to the urban planning situation. The significance of provision for informal recreation, the most common type, also influences the Planning Framework. Integral to the Planning Framework is a strong belief in, and justification of, the need to include public participation in all phases of the planning process. The River Corridor Planning Framework developed is applied to part of the Whanganui River in the city of Wanganui, which is in some ways typical of medium sized cities with rivers in New Zealand. It is suggested that the River Corridor Planning Framework may have application in other cities with similar situations.Item A multivariate planning model - city structure : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Statistics.(Massey University, 1972) Crawford, PeterThe genesis of this study is post graduate research in Urban Geography at Canterbury University in 1966. At that time a crude multivariate Centroid model of 95 New Zealand towns and cities was constructed. Based upon 60 socio-economic variables two factors for each of the years 1951, 1956 and 1961 were extracted and compared. The present study, which is a considerable refinement upon the earlier research, incorporates not only tremendous advancement in multivariate design methodology and application, but also parallel advancements that have been made in computing facilities over the last five years. The objective of this research is to construct a multivariate statistical planning model that is both statistically precise and meaningful in its application. Particular emphasis is placed upon the need to organise in a systematic and meaningful manner the increasingly greater variety of statistics that portray urban growth. Stress is placed upon the utility of the multivariate technique as a tool in the author's profession of Town Planning. [From Preface]Item The good governance agenda and urban governance : the case of Dhaka, Bangladesh : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy (Arts) in Development Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2001) Loveridge, DonnaThis thesis argues that the good governance agenda has reached an impasse in Dhaka due to the absence of political will and commitment. The current status of the good governance agenda, its advocates and opponents, after ten years of advancement as a prerequisite for poverty alleviation is investigated as well as its connection to the more recent phenomenon of urban governance. Urban governance on the one hand is used to describe urban actors and their relationships and on the other to describe the management of urban centres. Using Dhaka, Bangladesh as a case study, the thesis highlights that the two descriptions are very much connected since actors and their relationships, in the context of Bengali culture and accepted behavioural norms, influence the outcome of urban management issues, such as the provision of basic services and infrastructure. While there is little evidence that good governance does in fact lead to poverty alleviation, multilateral and bilateral donors and numerous NGOs, encouraged by the amount of funding available, are pursuing strategies to improve the governance situation in Dhaka. However, the current state of governance and the entrenched norms greatly affect the outcome which is emphasised through an examination of a number of current projects and programmes. Development practitioners, especially donors, are only now beginning to acknowledge the importance and influence of culture and politics on development policy, programme and project outcomes. However, direct attempts to modify culture and politics will undoubtedly lead to criticisms of interference in sovereignty issues. It is suggested that the good governance agenda has reached an impasse until there is a demonstration of political will and commitment for achieving good governance from the Government of Bangladesh, civil society and donors. The Government because as elected representatives they have power to change legislation, provide leadership nationwide and set a context for improvements; civil society because their attitudes and actions can either reinforce the current societal norms or challenge them; and donors because their own political and strategic agendas should help and not hinder development.
