David Gibbs radioNZ interview: Accommodating future housing needs


16 May 2013

David Gibbs interview on RadioNZ National Radio, Nine to Noon with Kathryn Ryan 9:30am 16/05/2013

Kathryn asks the big questions:
- The new housing plan for Auckland: What will it do and will it be enough to limit urban sprawl and allow for smaller dwellings in response to a changing demographic? 
- How can we address Auckland's housing shortage and affordability issues?
- Increasing supply: Will the new Auckland Housing Accord announced by the Council and Government help relieve these pressures, and what role does the Unitary Plan play in delivering affordable housing? 
- Meeting demand: Are developers supplying enough smaller sections and smaller affordable homes in new subdivisions to meet the needs of a changing city? 

David discusses: 
- The Auckland Unitary Plan process 
- The Housing Accord and Special Housing Areas - the potential risks and issues
- Concerns as to whether the Unitary Plan will deliver the required 400,000 dwellings the city is projected to need by 2031 
- Examples of where the draft Unitary Plan has undercooked opportunities for intensification, and where character overlays will preclude intensification  
- Feasibility factors and impediments for new developments, and in particular higher density developments 
- How zoning rules for minimum section sizes preclude economically feasible development of smaller / higher density houses

Listen to the radio interview here.