Environmental factors
The Government is committed to greater sustainability in our use of resources and our ways of life and has emphasised sustainability as one of its top priorities.
Implications of sustainable development for building and housing include:
- energy efficient buildings
- buildings that can withstand extreme weather conditions
- emission of greenhouse gases from buildings being minimised
- better quality urban developments and the proximity of housing to workplaces and/or transport nodes as primary considerations in urban design.
To build sustainable cities for New Zealand's increasingly urban population, careful urban design is essential. High-quality urban planning becomes increasingly important in the larger cities in New Zealand. Uneven growth and regional variation has been a growing concern for some cities, with some areas developing faster than others. Planning with a longer-term focus could ease pressure on overdeveloped areas, and spread development or intensification more uniformly.
Within the Government's theme of economic transformation, it is recognised that the development of Auckland as a world-class international city is critical for New Zealand's overall growth and development. The Department will continue to work with local government and sector professionals to help with building a sustainable and well-functioning Auckland city.
Globalisation
New technology, building systems and products, and building standards and design are increasingly international in nature. The effects of globalisation on the building and housing sectors are also felt indirectly through varying exchange rates and international price movements.
In spite of the complexity that globalisation brings, efforts toward harmonising building standards are occurring in Europe with the role of individual countries' national standards bodies being redefined. As in Europe, diversity of population, differing legal jurisdictions, and varying pricing and taxation regimes make harmonising standards in the Pacific region challenging. The intent of harmonising standards is that no substantial differences exist in safety standards between and within nations.
Technology
New technology will continue to influence building and construction design, systems and products. It has ongoing implications for both our regulation of the building sector and the skill development requirements of all personnel involved in the sector.
One of the most significant applications of technology in the construction and housing industry is increasing homeowners' sense of security by using more technologically advanced building materials, and applying sustainable design and integrated systems for users' particular needs.
Users' needs include adequate ventilation, accessibility to and from the building, fire safety and earthquake-proof design. Buildings need to accommodate the needs of those with disabilities or reduced mobility and allow them easy movement in and out, or within the floors of, a building. Technology can help by providing amenities that reflect users' special needs, and for those who want to work from home.