Best-practice urban form for emissions reduction

A new online mapping tool that supports the design of net-zero carbon neighbourhoods is helping planners and decision makers visualise transport patterns and emissions. The tool currently provides data for Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, Oamaru and Queenstown. It enables people to calculate impacts on carbon emissions if there are more electric and hybrid vehicles on the roads. It also helps people understand travel trends of those going to and from work. This will lead to better urban development decisions through integrated land use and transport planning because the potential impacts of different design options are better understood. The tool is supported by case studies, lessons learned for Aotearoa New Zealand and ?building up versus building out? scenarios. Developed as part of the research project Best practice urban form for emissions reduction, the tool allows people to explore the real-world impacts of new policies and changes to support community engagement and local decision making. Hosted on the Carbon Neutral Neighbourhoods map platform, the tool was designed by an interdisciplinary team at Te Whare W?nanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. To inform their work, the researchers explored international examples of well-functioning cities, towns and neighbourhoods with low greenhouse gas emissions and compared these with high performing local examples. One senior urban designer observed in feedback: ?The graphic format of the tool is enticing, and we will quickly be able to translate it into reporting for our clients.?