Urban and Landscape Design Framework (ULDF)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is urban design?
Urban design is a process that seeks to create desirable places for people to live, work and play. It
involves the design and placement of buildings, roads, rail, open spaces, towns and cities. It focuses
on the relationship between built form, land use and open space, natural features and human
activity. Good urban design creates spaces that function well, have a distinctive identity and visual
appeal.
What is an Urban and Landscape Design Framework (ULDF) for a motorway?
The purpose of a ULDF is to illustrate the guiding landscape and urban design principles for a project.
A ULDF sets out an overall urban design vision both for the project and its integration with wider
aspirations and plans in surrounding areas including wider land use and development. In this regard,
a ULDF reflects a wider strategic direction and long term urban and landscape design vision than just
the immediate project. Aspects of that design vision may be delivered in the future by others or in
partnership with the Transport Agency (refer below to the Urban and Landscape Design Sector
Plans).
Who wrote the ULDF?
The ULDF was prepared for the NZ Transport Agency by independent urban design specialists
Isthmus Ltd in collaboration with the Iwi Advisor for the mana whenua of the area, Hōkai Nuku.
How long do I have to provide my comments?
Please ensure your comments reach us by 5pm Tuesday 2 June 2015.
How can I provide my comments?
Please email your comments to puhoi-warkworth@nzta.govt.nz. If you’d like to send us a letter, you
can post it to:
Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth
FreePost Authority 66927
PO Box 9806
Newmarket
AUCKLAND 1149
What will you do with my comments?
The project team will consider people’s comments on the ULDF and submit a revised version to
Auckland Council for final certification.
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How does this relate to the submission I made during the Board of Inquiry process?
The final Board of Inquiry decision and report includes conditions that the Transport Agency must
comply with during construction and operation of the motorway. You can read a copy of the Board’s
final decision and report on the project website at www.nzta.govt.nz/puhoi-warkworth.
Designation condition 30 includes a list of stakeholders that must receive a hard copy of the draft
ULDF for review. This list includes people who identified visual impacts as one of their concerns in
their Board of Inquiry submission.
The framework doesn’t have much detail. When will more details be available?
The urban and landscape design outcomes outlined in the ULDF will inform the detailed design of
the motorway. The ULDF is also a tool to assess the prospective designs submitted by the companies
who will take part in a competitive tender process to build the project.
When the tendering process is finished and the successful contractor/s is appointed, the Urban and
Landscape Design Sector Plans (ULDSPs) will be developed in compliance with the ULDF.
A draft of the ULDSP will be sent to the relevant stakeholders identified in designation condition
D38B. This includes properties listed in condition D30 who have views from a dwelling onto the
motorway.
In these plans, you can expect to see detailed drawings that show how the bridges will be finished,
the type of light poles and signage gantries, how embankments will be planted and the placement of
wetlands to treat storm water from the motorway.
The conditions also require development of ULDSPs at specific locations along the motorway, where
particular attention needs to be given to visual effects and screening.
Will I see a final version?
The final version of the ULDF will be uploaded to the Pūhoi to Warkworth website at
www.nzta.govt.nz/puhoi-warkworth for anyone to view and download. If you would prefer a hard
copy to be sent to you, please contact us on puhoi-warkworth@nzta.govt.nz
Where can I find out more about motorway urban design?
More information about the urban design planning process is available on the Transport Agency
website at http://www.nzta.govt.nz/planning/process/urban.html
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Urban & Landscape Design Framework Production Process
Draft ULDF sent to stakeholders listed in
designation condition 30A
Stakeholders review & provide comments by close of business
Tuesday 2 June 2015
Comments considered by NZ Transport Agency & ULDF author
Revised ULDF submitted to Auckland Council for certification.
Submission includes how stakeholder comments have been
addressed in the revised ULDF.
Auckland Council has 40 working days to consider the ULDF. If
no comments are provided, the ULDF will be deemed to be
certified.
Certified ULDF is uploaded to website at
www.nzta.govt.nz/puhoi-warkworth
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