Embracing the changing shape of urbanism in Aotearoa

Beca is proud to be sponsoring and presenting at the 2023 Urbanism Aotearoa New Zealand conference, held in Auckland over 27 and 28 April.

With the core theme ‘Shaping Our Urban Legacy’ and a focus on connection, collaboration and the change needed to achieve good urban environments for all, Urbanism Aotearoa is close to our hearts and purpose at Beca – to make everyday better.

The bumper programme includes local and international speakers on such topics as climate responsiveness, mātauranga Māori, the sustainability of Indigenous cultures, and designing for resilience, sustainability and enhancement of environments. Speakers will also be discussing our transition to a circular economy, co-delivery of infrastructure and urban transformation, and integration of transport and urban form.

We look forward to hearing and sharing our own insights, ideas and experiences with our diverse clients, partners and friends in industry. And, we will have representatives attending from across our own Design Practice, Land Development, Transport and Infrastructure, Project Strategy and Delivery, and Community Shaping teams.

As sponsor of the Regenerative session, to be chaired by Tania Hyde, Beca Technical Director and Circular Design Lead, we especially look forward to discussions on living the value of kaitiakitanga of te taiao, the natural world. Read Tania’s recent article for the conference ‘Will we make it to a regenerative future?’
 
“The future is now, and is in our hands. The decisions we make today will have a profound impact on the communities of tomorrow. To foster a regenerative future, we need to be brave, bold, and to empower all people to collaborate, to get involved and make better, more informed choices,” says Tania. 

Additional presentations from Beca speakers include:

• Transport and land use decisions in Aotearoa: Costs and impacts - Integrated land use and transport planning is recognised as being a critically important component of reducing transport emissions and creating an urban environment that achieves broader social, economic and environmental outcomes.
  • By Charlotte Lee, Senior Associate – Social Outcomes at Beca, and Eddie Dolan, Principal Planning Advisor Urban Development at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

• Gamified Digital Twin for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s City Centre: What if organisations involved in city shaping decisions worked together and shared their data for the benefit of communities?
  • By Matt Wheeler, Business Director - Strategic Growth, and Henry Seaton, Assistant Project Manager at Beca.

Beca is passionate about the delivery of integrated and multi-disciplinary solutions that are impactful for people, place and our shared environments. Moreover, we take pride in applying a systems-thinking lens to the design, planning, development and operation of New Zealand’s cities, towns, and communities. 

With this foundation, and underpinned by our core purpose, we are excited to support Urbanism Aotearoa, and to work together on shaping a sustainable and resilient future for communities and environments across Aotearoa.

Find out more about the conference here – www.urbanismnz.co.nz