Urban Planning Stories

Global Stories

Urban Planning stories

SoftTech marks 30 years in digital building systems

Its software has cut building approval times by up to 70% as authorities seek faster, more transparent planning processes.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • Last week

Smart Cities

Parking price rises fail to cut demand, study finds

Cities need more accurate curb data after researchers found parking rates often rose without denting vehicle volumes in 60 US cities.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Last month

Data Analytics

Australia & New Zealand consultation trust gap widens

Residents increasingly doubt consultation is meaningful, with many saying decisions are made before their views are heard and acted on.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Urban Planning stories

Radio New Zealand

Kawerau weighs up cost of cutting highway speed

Ratepayers could face a six-figure bill if Kawerau extends the 70kmh zone on State Highway 34, with funding uncertain.

By RNZ • 3 min read • Today

Risk & Compliance

Popular Nelson track to be fixed, but it's not expected to last

Residents welcomed approval for a basic rebuild of Days Track, though council staff warn storms will likely damage it again.

By RNZ • 4 min read • Today

Westpac

Where have all the ATMs gone?

Fewer free cash points are leaving many New Zealanders facing fees, longer trips and concerns about access as ATMs disappear.

By RNZ • 3 min read • Today

Smart Cities

Tomorrow's cities rely on connecting infrastructure today

As climate shocks intensify, cities can cut outages and delays by linking water, power and transport into one view.

By David Such • 5 min read • 2 days ago

Data Science

Water New Zealand hails STEM subjects to ease skills gap

The sector's 10,000-worker shortfall could widen unless more students see water jobs beyond engineering, Water New Zealand says.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • 2 days ago

New Zealand Labour Party

Opportunity seeks law for New Zealand infrastructure plan

Long-term asset upkeep would take priority under a plan aimed at shielding New Zealand infrastructure from election-cycle politics and funding gaps.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last week

Smart Cities

NEC & UrbanChain test parking charges when drivers leave

Drivers could avoid being billed while circling for spaces as the month-long trial in Fukuoka Prefecture links charges to exiting the car.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week

Auckland Transport

Auckland City Rail Link set to open on 13 September

After years of disruption, passengers will gain quicker journeys and better city access when the underground rail link begins service on 13 September.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week

New Zealand Labour Party

Politicians across party lines call for end to stop-start infrastructure investment

Consensus remained broad, but party MPs still clashed over who should pay for long-term works and how to curb costly overdesign.

By RNZ • 3 min read • Last week

Smart Cities

Ordnance Survey reports record revenue amid AI push

Demand for trusted location data lifted annual sales as utilities, councils and consumers used new services to cut risk and plan infrastructure.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Last week

Physical Security

Leicester installs security bollards across city centre

Access to Leicester's busiest pedestrian streets will be tighter after a bollard network was fitted to prevent unauthorised vehicles entering the zone.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Last week

Clean technologies

Ottawa funds CAD $10.9M for EV chargers & education

More public chargers and practical guidance are set to ease one of the biggest barriers to electric vehicle uptake across Canada.

By Jake MacAndrew • 3 min read • Last week

Risk & Compliance

South Dunedin councils split flood plan into two tracks

Residents could see faster flood protection decisions as the councils pursue urgent works now while weighing South Dunedin's long-term climate response.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month