‘Strategy’ for urban growth

Press, 6 July 1977, Page 13

‘Strategy’ for urban growth

Wellington reporter An urban growth strategy is an essential part of the continuing effort to ensure the provision of adequate housing, according to the National Housing Commission. ■ln its annual report the Commission’s chairman (Mr W. G. Butler) gave four ijiain aims for a national urban growth strategy: To rationalise and co-ordin-ate the nature and direction of the central government’s influence and action; To keep under regular review the objectives of the central government’s support for local initiatives in urban development; To enhance the understanding of the nature of urban life and possible solutions available to problems arising out of the urban environment; and

To improve the system of communication at all urban decision-making levels.

Government action towards the attainment of this strategy was seen to be accomplished in several ways, Mr Butler said.

I In terms of the establishiment of a formal system of 'co-ordination of the Government’s policies affecting urban development, the commission did not feel that the creation of a ministerial urban affairs portfolio supported by a special purpose department of state (as in some countries) was warranted.

It considered that a grouping of relevant portfolios should be adequate to ensure continuing policy co-ordina-tion.

The commission suggested a central government representative as a full member of each regional authority, for co-ordination between central and regional government. A programme of public education and research involving the commissioning of reports on urban problems, and the co-ordination of research programmes into aspects of urban life — including urban housing and public transportation systems — was seen by Mr Butler as fulfilling the third and fourth aims.