Luxon is right that the 3 units/3 floors law change got it wrong. But not for the reasons he might suggest. Certainly more fringe greenfields development is worse.
The 3 units/3 floors law assumes a one size everywhere solution. This is too simplistic.
Several measures are necessary as an overall package for increasing density that is reflective of the specific characteristics of different cities and towns. I suggest the minimum are
- substantial central government support for ensuring the necessary physical, social and environmental infrastructure and connectivity is provided,
- effective design guidelines developed and followed - there are simply too many bad examples of intensification that fuel community concern about intensification - form based planning on a large scale, supported by government funding, is worth investigating
- the importance of retaining and developing neighbourhood and community must not be lost.
Luxon is right that the 3 units/3 floors law change got it wrong. But not for the reasons he might suggest. Certainly more fringe greenfields development is worse.
The 3 units/3 floors law assumes a one size everywhere solution. This is too simplistic.
Several measures are necessary as an overall package for increasing density that is reflective of the specific characteristics of different cities and towns. I suggest the minimum are
- substantial central government support for ensuring the necessary physical, social and environmental infrastructure and connectivity is provided,
- effective design guidelines developed and followed - there are simply too many bad examples of intensification that fuel community concern about intensification - form based planning on a large scale, supported by government funding, is worth investigating
- the importance of retaining and developing neighbourhood and community must not be lost.
More food-productive land covered in urban sprawl.