Despite a common belief that councils won’t approve tiny houses and modular and container homes, early findings from a national survey suggest planners are increasingly open to these housing options.
Many small towns badly need to attract new blood to prosper. Yet some residents are so bound up in their community – it’s part of their identity – that they struggle with the changes newcomers bring.
Cities are starting to restore natural systems such as waterways, wetlands and bushland. But restoration on the scale these systems need to function properly calls for a rethink of urban planning.
Martin Brook, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
The beach community at Muriwai has experienced deadly landslide in the past, but houses were nevertheless allowed to be built on the debris of former slips.
One-third of local councils have rules to stop pet cats roaming because of their major impacts on wildlife. More councils want to get on board but many are hampered by state laws.
Around the world, very few public transport agencies make money, while ride-sharing companies are making huge losses. So why partner up, and how do those partnerships work?
Australians are in New Zealand to help out in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. After multiple big floods in Australia, our neighbours have learned a lot about resilience in the face of disaster.
A national survey shows that, while Australians see the traditional council services as very important, most support local government involvement in a much broader range of issues and activities.
A 4-year study of households has shown how the increasing focus on our homes as sites of work, rest and play can increase energy use despite soaring prices.
A growing source of global emissions is the ships that carry most of the goods we consume. A 21st-century generation of cargo ships propelled by the wind can reverse this unsustainable trend.
The rest of the nation should follow the ACT’s lead. Incentives to boost the transition to electric vehicles are one of the best ways to tackle Australia’s fastest-growing source of emissions.
Three bills to go before parliament confirm the Albanese government is restoring the Commonwealth to a leadership role on housing issues. But there are still gaps in its approach.
The people of the Hunter have a clear picture of the future they want. But to unlock the region’s future opportunities, we must first clean up the costly legacy of its coal-mining past.
Martin Brook, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Building too close to cliffs and slopes, weak soils, lack of vegetation and increased rainfall all played a part in the massive storm damage to Auckland. The city needs to change the way it uses land.
Levels of trace metals inside can be higher than the sources of contamination outside. It underscores the need for households to take care to prevent those contaminants being brought indoors.
A systematic review of thousands of studies around the world has found many aspects of our cities affect loneliness. But people’s relationship with their environment is complex and highly individual.
The Victorian government has announced it is replacing the state’s public transport ticketing system. So what essential features should a state-of-the-art system offer users?