Urban developments are more likely to be successful, and to have a higher economic value, if pedestrians are properly catered for.
Land use resource consent applications offer opportunities to make improvements for pedestrians. Subdivision consents also often alter the way land is used and hence how pedestrians access and use the land needs to be considered.
When assessing resource consent applications, territorial authorities should ensure that all potential impacts on pedestrians of the development or subdivision have been fully considered, assessed and mitigated. This includes the walking routes within the site (including for example, through car parks) as well as those external to it, both during and after construction.
Assessing the area against the pedestrian network characteristics or undertaking an audit or review of the area may assist in identifying shortcomings and improvements.
PNG: Pedestrian characteristics
As a minimum, no resource consent application should adversely affect conditions for pedestrians. However, developments often create opportunities to provide new walking links and/or increase pedestrian activity. To positively encourage walking, all new infrastructure should be provided to at least the standards outlined in the Design section.
For larger developments, transport professionals should be engaged early to guide the layout and design of the development and ensuring it adheres to the pedestrian network characteristics. Preparing an Integrated Transport Assessment (also known as an ITA), whether required by the District Plan or not, can be beneficial for identifying the potential transport impacts for all travel modes, including pedestrians.
Waka Kotahi Integrated Transport Assessment guidelines prepared in 2010 provides assistance on the scope and content of an ITA.
Waka Kotahi Research Report 422 Integrated transport assessment guidelines
Some local authorities also provide more recent guidance on the scope and content of an ITA as outlined in their guidelines below:
Auckland ITA Guidelines(external link)
Christchurch ITA Guidelines(external link)
If an application involves apparently unused public land (including road reserves), the road controlling authority should visit the site over a suitable period to check whether pedestrians use the land on a casual basis. If they do, any adverse impacts of the development on walking should be identified and, where possible, mitigated. However, as this may not always be possible, pedestrian interests should be protected by including, in formal planning documents, all routes that are well used or have walking potential.
Walking routes may be located where historic and cultural heritage exists. The Considering historic heritage in walking and cycling projects information sheet provides guidance on heritage considerations in walking and cycling projects.
Considering historic heritage in walking and cycling projects
