Former Auckland Council strategist Ben van Bruggen has been appointed to the Jasmax urban design team, based in Auckland.

Van Bruggen has previously worked with the architecture and design practice firm while leading the Auckland Council’s Strategy team in their Design Office, collaborating on projects such as the City Rail Link. Jasmax Chief Executive, Sjoerd Post says “we’re delighted to have someone of Ben’s calibre join us, having led multidisciplinary teams around the world and here in New Zealand. His skill in developing major projects that unlock economic, social and environmental value is exactly what we need as our clients tackle the challenges of a chronic housing shortage, infrastructure deficit and climate change.”

Having moved to Auckland from London in 2017, van Bruggen hopes the move to the private sector will allow him to balance the city’s increasing intensification with demands on sectors such as education or health.

“I often say that urban designers don’t realise they’re in the healthcare business,” he says. “How we design places fundamentally affects how they will be used. As our cities tackle the implications of migration, climate change and equity, this is our opportunity to be a leading voice in the debate around what we want for our towns and cities in Aotearoa and how we are going to get there - how we can design places to enhance social and environmental wellbeing and create better outcomes for people.”

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