3 Sep 2020

A review into the quality of recent medium and high density housing developments in Christchurch has found room for improvement.

However, the quality of housing developments in the city’s medium-density zones has improved on average in the 10 years since the last review and we are seeing an increase in density on individual sites.

The latest review involved a survey of 46 residential developments consented and built in areas of the city zoned for medium or high-density housing since the Christchurch District Plan became operative in 2016.

The provisions in the District Plan for medium and high density housing areas are aimed at achieving high levels of amenity and liveability, but the review overseen by Christchurch City Council’s Urban Design Team found some of the developments fall short of the desired standard.

While most of the residential developments were close to a ‘satisfactory’ or basic quality overall, some were assessed to be of poor quality.

The majority of the issues with the developments related to poor site layout. The review says more consideration needs to be given to the arrangement of buildings on site so that buildings and private spaces function effectively and relate well to the street and neighbours, without privacy conflicts or the need for prominent fencing.

More space also needs to be allocated to gardens and tree planting. This would create a safer, more pleasant environment.

The review findings will be formally presented to the Council’s Urban Development and Transport Committee on Wednesday 9 September.

Read the report on the Urban Design Review of Medium and High Density Housing in Christchurch.

The Council will use the findings to help identify what changes could be made to the Christchurch District Plan and what other actions may be required to improve urban design and neighbourhood outcomes. 

It will consider those changes alongside the implementation of the recently released National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD), which requires Council to change building height limits and levels of density in certain parts of the city, including the central city.

The Council has until August 2022 to make changes to the District Plan to implement the NPS-UD.

The public will be consulted on any proposals to change the District Plan.