Part I: Urban Design Guidelines for All Subdivision and Development in the District

3    Core Subdivision Design Principles—the Seven Cs

There are a range of key issues that need to be addressed in the development of new neighbourhoods and subdivisions in the Matamata-Piako District. These issues directly relate to the quality of the environments we create.

Good subdivision has a clear rationale as to why and how design decisions have been made, in addition to whether they comply with statutory or engineering requirements. This rationale should be developed in conjunction with the design principles that the developer wishes to achieve; these design principles should be based on the seven Cs of the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol, which include:

1. Context – Developers should consider the context of the area the subdivision is located in, including the existing urban, landscape and social setting. Reinforce existing local focal points in the community, to ensure that residents are in walking distance of a range of amenities and have convenient access to public parks, open space and community facilities.


2. Connections – Connect movement networks including streets, cycleways and footpaths. Connectivity provides accessibility and choice in the local area, reduces travel distances, vehicle emissions, and money spent on fuel, which could cumulatively help the local economy and increase accessibility to public transport. These networks should also ensure the subdivision is integrated with surrounding neighbourhoods.


3. Character – Developers must consider the character of the area, reflecting and enhancing the distinctive character, heritage and identity of the place. The subdivision layout should contribute to the local identity of the district, responding to site characteristics, the surrounding environment, notable features, views, and identified region-wide strategic initiatives.


4. Choice – The subdivision should make choices available to ensure diversity and opportunity, provide a variety of lot sizes and other compatible uses that encourage a diverse community.


5. Creativity – Developers should use innovative and imaginative solutions in the design of subdivisions.


6. Custodianship – The design should be environmentally sustainable, safe and healthy. Open spaces need to be safe, accessible, cost effective to maintain and capable of providing a variety of recreation uses.
   1. Safe developments are based on lots fronting public open spaces, providing informal surveillance of them.
   2. Low impact approaches to managing stormwater run-off and other resources should be used, while maintaining long-term environmental quality.
   3. Ecological and heritage features should be protected and enhanced. This can be achieved in a manner that adds value and uniqueness to subdivisions.


7. Collaboration – A well designed subdivision will allow residents to communicate and share knowledge across sectors, professions and with communities. Consultation should be undertaken with stakeholders and affected parties prior to the design process being initiated. If required, discussions with Tangata Whenua (particularly about cultural landscape values) should be recognised and applied.

The application of these principles relates directly to Section 6.2.1 of the District Plan entitled ‘New Zealand Urban Design Protocol and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design’, which requires good quality urban design in relation to the design and development of subdivisions within the district.