Low Impact Urban Design and Development: scope, founding principles and collaborative learning

The paper presents an overview of a nationwide research and implementation programme in New Zealand entitled ‘Low impact urban design and development: making it mainstream’ and reports on two aspects of the research underway. The purpose of the programme is to facilitate the uptake and implementation of low impact urban design and development (LIUDD) practices. The paper briefly outlines the scope and methodology of the programme and then reports on progress in respect of two aspects of the investigation. First, key principles and methods for the practice of LIUDD are presented. Second, the development of learning networks as a tool for adaptive collaborative learning is also outlined. LIUDD principles can inform decision-makers and planners in the preparation of plans and policies for urban and rural development, thus representing a significant contribution towards influencing future urban form. The development of learning networks has significant potential as tools for sharing knowledge between stakeholders and researchers, and, in the longer term, facilitating the uptake of LIUDD practices. Both the development of the LIUDD principles and learning networks are important means for integrating the multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional objectives and outcomes of the research programme.