Urban Planning
Putting trees back into the urban jungle
Why do we need more tree cover in our urban environments? The Detail finds out. Audio
Urban issues: how do we actually build back better?
Bill McKay joins Kathryn to look at the gap between the desire to build back after a natural disaster and the political will to do it.
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Can a sponge city really prevent flooding?
In the aftermath of Auckland's flooding, there's been plenty of talk about sponge cities - but what are they? Audio
Concerns over Government's urban planning policy
We have a look at the challenges of urban planning amidst a housing crisis and fears new government policy could create 'urban slums'. Dr Claire Dale at Auckland University's Retirement Policy and… Audio
Too much heat makes transport fraught
The big budget for a new non-car harbour bridge in Auckland sparked a big 'bike-lash' in the media last week - and how we build and use our roads has become a huge wedge issue all around the country. … Audio
For whom the bell trolls - cyclists
While record-breaking floods threatened to sweep away bridges in Canterbury, the inundation of the Auckland Harbour Bridge by cyclists made headlines too - and sparked a big backlash on talk radio.… Video, Audio
Urban issues with Bill McKay
Bill McKay thinks Grand Designs gives an unrealistic idea of design and construction - but the Hamilton city centre's new direction is transformative. Audio
How can we ensure our new houses are good quality?
As our cities become ever more dense, how can we make sure what we're building is of good quality? Architect Bill McKay talks to Kathryn about a few crucial things that must happen when the RMA… Audio
Managing urbanisation in the Galapagos Islands
Once a remote archipelago known primarily for their unique species the Galapagos Islands have become a magnet for an increasing number of tourists - and the 30,000 residents who support the booming… Audio
Insight: Climate change and 'waterproofing' NZ's cities
After a wet winter, and in some places a drenched summer before that, Teresa Cowie asks if it’s possible to design cities that can cope with the increasing extreme weather being driven by climate… Video, Audio
Insight: A Line in the Sand for Freshwater Quality?
The state of the country's waterways is almost constantly in the headlines. Now a definitive landmark report from the Ministry for the Environment has confirmed what many already suspected, that there… Video, Audio
Charles Montgomery - Urban Anxiety
Vancouver-based writer and journalist Charles Montgomery is a critic of what he calls anti-social planning. Charles says that low-density suburbs where people depend on cars create isolation and… Audio
Vancouver's Brent Toderain on how to revitalise Auckland
An international trend to make big cities better places to live in is taking hold in Auckland, which is grappling with a change of course from being a sprawling, car dominated city. Auckland also… Audio
Jeremy Rose finds out about Vertical Living
In the 1940s a group of idealistic Wellington architects formed the Architectural Centre. For more than six decades the Centre has been at the forefront of debates about how the city should develop… Audio
A panel discussion about innovation and the city
Finlay Macdonald talks to Pete Bossley, Dr Chris Harris, and Rod Oram, about urban design. Audio