Improve urban development in NZ - OECD

The OECD has just released the results of its third environmental performance review of New Zealand – and the lack of a comprehensive urban development strategy is highlighted as a problem.

New Zealand’s economic growth model has started to show its environmental limits with increased GHG emissions, freshwater contamination and threats to biodiversity, the report said.

Fast growing cities, which tend towards urban sprawl serviced by roads and cars rather than more compact, sustainable development are contributing to the issue.

The report said that New Zealand is one of the most urbanised countries in the world and most urban areas are expressing pressure from population growth.