Glossary

The ADM Glossary helps all people of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland interpret the urban design guidance on this website.

Best Practice

A technique, method, or process that is most effective at delivering a particular outcome, or multiple outcomes, based on repeatable procedures that can be proven over time.

Character Area

Areas identified as having special character values worth preserving.

Climate change

The Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP) incorporates climate change considerations into Chapter B Regional policy statement, coastal hazard zones, infrastructure planning, flood management, and transport strategies. It supports low-carbon, resilient urban development that can adapt to current and future climate risks

Coastal Management Area

Given Auckland's extensive coastline, this term defining areas requiring specific management of coastal resources and development would be useful.

Delineation

A clearly defined boundary between two conditions. For example, having delineation between a public and private area, or between a roadway and a footpath.

Density Overlay

Areas identified in the Unitary Plan where higher-density development is encouraged or permitted.

Ecological Connectivity

The maintenance of a connected system of open space throughout an ecosystem. Not only is a contiguous line of open space maintained, but also specific natural systems are kept intact. Ecological connectivity relies on maintaining ecotones, the linkages between different ecological regions.

Green Star Rating

The environmental rating tool used for buildings in New Zealand by New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC).

Habitat

The environment within which a particular species or group of species lives. It includes the physical and biotic characteristics that are relevant to the species concerned.

Heritage Overlay

A planning tool used to protect areas of heritage significance in Auckland.

Homestar Rating

The residential-specific environmental rating tool used in New Zealand by New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC).

Impervious Surface

Constructed surfaces, such as rooftops, sidewalks, roads, and parking lots, covered by impenetrable materials such as asphalt, concrete, brick, and stone. These materials seal surfaces, repel water, and prevent precipitation from infiltrating soils. The term impermeable may also be used.

Kāinga

Te Reo Māori word for 'Home'.

Legibility

This term refers to the ability of people who are unfamiliar with an area to be able to find their way. Legibility instils a sense of confidence in users of public space and can be achieved though the identification of designated pedestrian routes using signage, lighting and suitable landscaping.

Mana Whenua

The indigenous people who have historic and territorial rights over the land. This is particularly relevant in the Auckland context as it relates to local iwi and their relationship with the land.

Masterplan

A detailed plan for a defined area, e.g. a centre or a new urban development. It involves the integration of all elements (including social, cultural, economic and environmental considerations) into one overall design and can include the final expected physical form of the buildings and spaces within.

Maunga

Referring to Auckland's volcanic cones, which are significant natural and cultural landmarks requiring special consideration in planning.

Mauri

The life force or vital essence of a natural resource or ecosystem, an important concept in environmental management and planning in the New Zealand context.

Mixed-Use Development

Buildings or areas that combine residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or industrial uses, which is increasingly common in Auckland's urban development.

Notable Tree

Trees that are protected under the Unitary Plan due to their historical, cultural, or ecological significance.

Open Space

The term ‘open space’ covers green space consisting of any vegetated land or structure, water or geological feature in an urban area and civic space consisting of squares, marketplaces and other paved or hard landscaped areas with a civic function.

Papakāinga

Traditional Māori housing and living spaces, particularly relevant as Auckland Council has specific provisions for papakāinga development.

Place-Making

An inclusive approach to design that actively engages with local communities and stakeholders though out all stages of the design process; planning, designing, building, managing and programming of places in an integrated way. so that they are successful, attractive and enduring for people. It requires consideration of the relationships between all the parts of a place and the way they work together, rather than a focus on each part (e.g. just the building) in isolation from the whole area.

Precinct

A spatially defined area where additional place-based provisions apply alongside the underlying zone.

Riparian Margin

The edge of a waterway requiring specific management and often restoration.

Rural-Urban Boundary 

Rural-urban boundary (RUB). In the Auckland Unitary Plan this boundary defines the limit of urban development and designates areas to be kept rural.

Service Area

An area that is external to the apartment building and used for the storage and collection of waste and recycling from individual apartments.

Significant Ecological Area (SEA)

Areas identified in the Unitary Plan for their ecological significance requiring protection.

Strategic Transport Corridor

Major transport routes identified for future development or protection.

Sustainability

Sustainability refers to the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves balancing environmental protection, social well-being, and economic development.

Unitary Plan

The Auckland Unitary Plan is Auckland Council’s operative regulatory land-use planning document, prepared under the Resource Management Act 1991. It has replaced the former district and some regional plans from the legacy city, district, and regional councils. The Unitary Plan provides guidance and rules for how land can be developed and how natural and physical resources can be sustainably used and managed.

Universal Design

Design that ensures accessibility for all people regardless of age, disability, or other factors.

Vernacular Forms

Buildings that reflect characteristics particular to a place. Vernacular forms are based on local needs, materials, social habits, economy, and reflect common construction techniques. Such buildings have not usually come about through professional design input. In the New Zealand context it could be argued that forms that have derived from Māori construction, domestic building from pre 20th century, mid-20th century State houses and houses that respond to the New Zealand landform might be considered ‘vernacular’ forms.

Viewshaft

Protected sight lines to significant landmarks (like volcanic cones/maunga in Auckland) or natural features that must be preserved in development.

Wāhi Tapu

Place sacred to Māori in a traditional, spiritual, religious, ritual or mythological sense (section 6, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014).

Viewshaft Protection Area

Specific areas where building heights and development are restricted to protect important views, particularly of maunga and the harbour.

Volcanic Viewshaft

Specific protected views of Auckland's volcanic cones.

Whare

Traditional Māori house or building.

Water Sensitive Design (WSD)

An approach to development that aims to protect and enhance natural water systems within urban environments.

Zero Lot House

A house where one wall is built along a boundary, usually a side boundary.