Urban Design

We are strongly aligned with Landscape Architecture, with both disciplines focusing on delivering and implementing designs for landscapes and urban built environments that cater for the needs of their particular communities.

Urban design is a tool for the transformation of our towns, cities and regions, grounded in an understanding of place and a commitment to a sustainable future. For the Beca team, urban design is about designing and delivering living, working and recreation environments that people want to be a part of. Our focus is on making a positive contribution to the public realm, to the buildings and structures that make up the private domain, and to the interface between them.

Our urban design process is collaborative; with our multidisciplinary team synthesising planning, urban design, landscape architecture, architecture and graphic design. We work closely with our clients to fully understand their project needs, explore the options and constraints available and deliver creative and practical solutions. As part of one of New Zealand’s largest consultancies, we are uniquely positioned to draw on a wide range of specialist disciplines within Beca to take a project from design concept through to implementation. We work closely with our planning, architecture and engineering colleagues within New Zealand and internationally to successfully integrate urban design into a range of projects for our clients.

Our graphic design ability and presentation skills enable us to clearly communicate concepts with clients, stakeholders and the general public. Consultation through workshops, displays and open days is fundamental to connect with the communities who use the spaces and places we are creating.

Our range of urban design services includes:

Sustainable land development

• Master planning
• Structure planning
• Concept plans for towns, villages and suburbs
• Education campuses and facilities
• Greenfield and brownfield sites
• Urban design review

Infrastructure

• Urban and landscape design frameworks
• Design concept and development
• Route selection
• Design principles for transport corridors

Design guidance

• Subdivision guidelines
• Built form controls
• Design principles for integration with District Plans
• Future character statements and visualisations
• Peer review, design panels and expert advice

Urban Revitalisation

• Town centre renewal
• Urban design strategies
• Streetscape upgrades
• CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design)
• Detailed design of pavements, street furniture, lighting

Consultation

• Community, elected members, stakeholder and landowner consultation