A new organisation called the Urban Development Institute of New Zealand (UDINZ) has been formed to encourage collaboration and unity within the sector, chaired by Dame Fran Wilde.

“UDINZ aims to bridge the divide between the private sector and public sectors to find common ground to break down barriers to good residential urban development,” the organisation says.

Former Mayor of Wellington and major supporter of the city’s waterfront project, Dame Fran Wilde, will chair the board. 

“As we [move into] level 1 on the COVID-19 scale and into whatever will be ‘business as usual’ in the future, the need to promote long term, sustainable and really great urban development outcomes has never been more apparent,” says Wilde.

“Amongst the push to move rapidly into ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure projects, we think it’s important for UDINZ to raise the flag for the delivery of resilient, affordable, healthy and sustainable communities.”

The organisation was still forming as New Zealand headed into its level 4 lockdown phase, which has undoubtedly shifted the focus of urban development conversations. Wilde notes, “The Covid-19 disruption is an outstanding opportunity to trigger off a national conversation around a new urban development paradigm.”

“The dialogue we recently began with some councils suggests a real desire to engage and to effect change. In other words, we can make a difference! However, we are keen to extend our reach beyond the immediate issues and frustrations – as important as they are to resolve.”

UDINZ is hoping to spark discussion and affect change in areas like new housing models, digital and technological innovation and much more. Professionals and students in the network span from developers to government officials to architects and engineers and anyone in between who wants to shape the future of urban development.

Find out more and get involved at udinz.nz/join.