ABSTRACT
This chapter presents eight of the ten smart growth principles; explains how they have been met sufficiently in Wellington; and uses the principles to present best practice examples for planning sustainable urban areas. The author participated in the Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowship in Public Policy, and the objective of his research was investigation of New Zealand approaches to achieve smart growth objectives. Eight of the ten smart growth principles are used to demonstrate that Wellington is a great city as well as a vibrant and exciting urban center. The first objective of the Wellington District Plan is "to protect and enhance the natural or "green" areas of the city. Wellington policies for protecting open space and recreational areas can be traced to the city's early years. Public transport in Wellington is currently running well with steady improvement in bus services and patronage and modest growth in rail use.
