New Zealand Institute of Architects president Richard Harris says a new manifesto called ‘Shaping our places’ is a guide for New Zealand’s towns and cities.

"It is timely,” says Mr Harris, “because our towns and cities are falling short of what they could be.

“We have to do better, and we can do better. Consistently building great places to live, work and play is critical to our prosperity as a nation.”

He describes it as a stake-in-the ground document stating NZIA’s position on five key concepts: community, sustainability, affordability, heritage, and urban design.

“It provides the value case for good practical design highlighting notable New Zealand buildings and places.

“More than ever we need to pay closer attention to how we develop our towns and cities, particularly as the government commits billions to infrastructure development.

Shaping our places is intended to spark discussion, debate, and influence at all levels of decision making on this defining subject.

He says the issue is one that NZIA cares about because it has huge economic, social, environmental and cultural implications – both positive and negative.

“Our aim is well-functioning urban environments for New Zealanders that are efficient, productive and great places to live, work and visit. With 85 per cent of New Zealanders living in urban environments, these decisions have real consequences for all of us.

Position statements within the document include:

• Community places: Providing quality community places is no longer merely desirable, it is essential for a well-functioning modern society. These are places from which community culture arises ― they are a crucible for culture.
  
  
• Sustainable places: Sustainability s value proposition is undeniable in both economic and moral terms. Sustainability not only involves a set of practices but a way of seeing the world
  
  
• Affordable places: The challenge of creating affordable housing requires a mix of old and new concepts. Building low cost housing is only one aspect. Achieving long term affordability through good design is the ultimate goal.
  
  
• Heritage places: Heritage is a fundamental aspect of our developing sense of national identity. Preservation of the past and creation of the future must become a matter of deliberate design, not chance.
  
  
• Urban places: Quality urban design is essential to building active, engaged communities. The places we create should reflect our nation’s heritage, culture, and aspirations.