Risk of dismal, sunless living

The ‘‘housing at any cost’’ movement got a fright recently when the media started reporting some of the issues raised by developers, urban designers, architects, council planners and community representatives, with the Government’s suburban backyard intensification plan.

For so long this movement has been telling us the only answer to the housing crisis is to deregulate the market, cross our fingers and hope developers will build something that a human wants to live in.

Unfortunately for them, the proposals – recently at select committee – were so bad that pretty much anyone with a passing interest in urban form told them so.

Now we have Dileepa Fonseka (Crowded House, but we can dream it’s over, Dec 4) seemingly arguing that because many people already live in slums, we need to build newer slums for them to own instead.

A couple of points on this: first, most of those submitting on the bill were supportive of increased densification, but wanted it to be done well, offering suggestions for how changes could improve it.

Second, preserving amenities such as sunlight is not ‘‘aesthetics’’, it’s about the human right to a decent environment. We give prisoners access to sunlight because it’s good for them. Surely apartment dwellers deserve as much?

Yet Wellington City Council’s draft District Plan guarantees only two hours of daylight for people living in mediumdensity zones – which is all of the innercity suburbs. That’s daylight, not sunlight. And if that troubles you, please do make your submission before December 14.

Thirdly, are we so lacking in ambition that we are prepared to consign the younger generation to living in dismal and densely packed apartment blocks with no sun? Density can be done well, as long as the right planning provisions are in place, to build sensitively in ways that preserve as much sun and amenity for as many people as possible.

This is why LIVE WELLINGTON was born – to champion density done well, and make sure Wellington can grow in ways that work for everyone. Learn more at livewellington.org.

Jane O’Loughlin, Mt Victoria [abridged]