Reframing Suburbia: Reclaiming the Human Scale in Aotearoa’s Suburban Thresholds

This research aims to investigate the need for a drastic change in current practices of suburban development in Aotearoa. Which under current standards is dominated by private sector interests, with design focused on profit turnover, instead on occupant and community driven design. Through critical investigation this study will be critiquing existing suburban planning schemes against what is considered essential aspects of “good” suburban design: safety, accessibility, cultural preservation and enhancement, co-designed processes, mixed building typology, and long-term sustainable green systems for changing climate adaptation. This study will focus on rapidly developing townships, in particular Wānaka and Hāwea* allowing for analysis of the developments occurring in these areas against what is and could be better design outcomes; produced from changes to the current development process pathway. Achieved through applying a literature heavy research approach, and the collection of qualitative data through interviews with individuals working within the developer, council and occupant communities. This research strives to create a promising discourse and the potential to influence policy surrounding current practice in suburban planning at the district and central government level. Devising actionable frameworks that shift suburban development away from a profit-driven narrative. Placing the people’s collective thresholds back into the hands of those that occupy them.