Scenario Two

Compact Settlements

This scenario takes a long term view and tries to anticipate what future needs may be. We know that things are changing; the population is ageing, household size is decreasing, fuel costs are rising, and houses are becoming less affordable. The community is becoming increasingly concerned about the global affects of human activity and wish to see Councils taking steps to address this.

Future growth includes a significant increase in the number of households on a smaller land area in settlements across the subregion. Increased densities and infill in suitable location has reduced the spread of the city and surrounding towns to around 4,000 hectares (that's six Cambridges). Densities average around 15 houses per hectare in the suburbs, with greater redevelopment of existing urban areas to provide for intensification.

Particularly, within Hamilton City there is reduced reliance on cars with walking, cycling and public transport as viable alternatives. The small towns around Hamilton have become more self-supporting but have remained largely car dependent.

It is 2060....

Central Hamilton is a thriving city centre with a strong resident population who are enjoying a broad range of services and facilities at their doorstep.

New suburban areas have developed with strong neighbourhood centres that provide a focal point for neighbourhoods and a gathering place for the community. Neighbourhood centres are well connected with public transport routes. Higher density housing at the centre of neighbourhoods meets the needs of smaller households who want easy access to day-to-day services. Larger lots on the edges of neighbourhoods support those with a more active lifestyle and families. Suburban areas have well planned open space with excellent walking and cycling links segregated from heavy traffic.

Intensified residential development has been encouraged around the identified sites near the hospital, university and central business district where the market is strong and infrastructure can cope. Other comprehensively planned redevelopment areas are distributed across the city.

Shopping occurs within the CityHeart, and at expanded large scale centres, but with local needs met within small neighbourhood centres. The CityHeart has specialized itself in leisure shopping and dining/nightlife activities.

Ruakura is a thriving mixed use centre for Hamilton East which has taken advantage of a significant increase in the area set aside for bio-tech research and industry.

Transport routes have been developed to support settlements as they grow and there are efficient and convenient peak hour public transport services to the bigger towns, offering a real choice for the journey to work including park and ride facilities.

Public transport services to rural communities have been replaced by demand responsive public transport .

Cambridge has become a vibrant business centre and its residents are less reliant on commuting to Hamilton for work. Business has taken advantage of its location on major transport routes. The central business area in Cambridge has intensified and is supported by a mixture of residential and business uses on its fringes. While there has been some urban expansion there has also been intensification in appropriate locations in both new and existing residential areas. The equine industry has consolidated and is recognised nationally as the centre of excellence.

Hautapu is a major industrial node particularly for food manufacturing.

Te Awamutu and Kihikihi have merged while retaining their respective character. The service centre function of Te Awamutu has been retained along with its rural quality of life.
Te Awamutu is recognised as an agribusiness centre.

Ngaruawahia has taken advantage of its location near to Hamilton but has enhanced its local services and employment opportunites to better meet the needs of a growing community. It is a younger community with a strong emphasis on education, family wellbeing and a community that celebrates and embraces it's cultural heritage focused on Turangawaewae, which is supported by a flourishing marae community. There are passenger rail transport connections to Hamilton and Auckland.

Huntly has retained its character. It provides another affordable housing choice and also a range of employment opportunities in heavy industries including energy and mining, and rural related industries.

Te Kauwhata has emerged as the significant centre for the northern Waikato. It has been strongly influenced by the completed transport corridor between Auckland and the Waikato. There is a major employment zone nearby at Hampton Downs. Te Kauwhata together with Huntly and Ngaruawahia have an important role housing people who have taken advantage of employment opportunities in both Auckland and Hamilton while enjoying the amenities provided by smaller centres..

Raglan provides the benefits of a coastal lifestyle with easy access to Hamilton City and continues to grow with balance between holiday and permanent residents.

Morrinsville has grown steadily as a rural service town with people commuting to Hamilton for work. It provides an alternative location for rural related industry.

Papakainga development supports housing and social needs of flourishing marae communities.

15% of the population has been accommodated in rural areas. Development in rural areas is centred around existing village clusters that protect land for productive use.
There is development close to settlements and transport networks including Gordonton, Te Kowhai, Matangi, Tamahere, Whatawhata, Pirongia, Ngahinapouri, Ohaupo, Mystery Creek and Karapiro. The people living in these lifestyle blocks usually work and shop in Hamilton or towns like Cambridge.

The Waikato has emerged as a major sustainable energy provider through the development of major wind farm complexes, in addition to existing hydro electric power generation and other forms of generation. It also provides a range of significant energy transmission corridors to Auckland and other regions.

How will we do this?

Councils will respond to predicted future needs by promoting more diverse forms of housing adopting sustainable development principles. Protection and enhancement of ecological and public open space areas is more important as the development intensifies. Growth is managed in an agreed and collaborative manner across the sub-region with priority placed on approaches that best meet the long term needs of the wider subregion.

Development has been supported by a carefully managed urban design framework that provides direction on how the city has developed. Comprehensive and well designed intensive redevelopment is promoted by offering incentives such as development bonuses.