Urbanization Stories - Page 5

Kiwi Stories

Urbanization stories

Start of 2020 sees prices continue to rise

New Zealand home values kept climbing in February, lifting the average house to NZD $722,475 and worsening affordability for buyers.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Tue, 3rd Mar 2020

eCommerce

China to ban plastic bags

Environmental pressure is forcing China to curb single-use plastics, with major cities set to lose plastic bags by year-end.

By Staff Writer • 6 min read • Mon, 17th Feb 2020

Conservation

The state of New Zealand’s marine environment is worse than we thought

Marine ecosystems face mounting pressure as pollution, fishing and warming seas threaten species, habitats and coastal communities.

By Staff Writer • 6 min read • Fri, 6th Dec 2019

Interior Design

Benefits of greenwalls at home and in the workplace

They can lift air quality, insulation and wellbeing at home and in offices, while also trimming noise, heat and energy costs.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Wed, 27th Nov 2019

Smart Cities

Are vertical villages the future?

With 2.5 billion more people heading for cities, planners are eyeing stacked mixed-use towers as a way to save space and build community.

By Staff Writer • 5 min read • Mon, 4th Nov 2019

Smart Cities

Emerging challenges in Australia’s infrastructure

Australia faces a 1 percent of GDP infrastructure gap as rapid city growth, labour shortages and slower productivity strain new projects.

By Staff Writer • 6 min read • Tue, 15th Oct 2019

Smart Cities

Planning a smart urban property

Urban developers face rising pressure to add renewable power, fibre and automation as tenants demand cheaper, smarter services.

By Michael Curreen • 6 min read • Mon, 14th Oct 2019

Data Analytics

Is the Government’s urban development policy doomed to fail?

Poor housing outcomes and pressure on infrastructure could deepen unless councils, central government and industry align on urban growth planning.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Thu, 10th Oct 2019

Real estate

What’s happening in the apartment market?

Top-end flats are showing some weakness, even as most apartment prices move broadly in line with the wider property market.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Fri, 4th Oct 2019

Taxation

Why is productivity in New Zealand declining?

The OECD says labour productivity has fallen 15 per cent against Australia and other rich economies over 25 years, threatening incomes.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Fri, 9th Aug 2019

Housing

The Shift Aotearoa: why New Zealand housing needs collaborative action

Researchers and housing providers will use the Wellington conference to draft a rights-based strategy aimed at getting every New Zealander well housed.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Sun, 5th May 2019

Smart Cities

Design for sustainable floating cities unveiled at United Nations

The hexagon-shaped platforms are designed to keep up to 10,000 people safe from floods, tsunamis and hurricanes as seas rise.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Mon, 29th Apr 2019

Smart Cities

How the Australian water industry is transforming the world from down-under

With population growth and climate change mounting, utilities are rolling out new operations, reuse and safety measures to secure future supply.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Sun, 3rd Mar 2019

Software-as-a-Service

Major proptech trends impacting commercial real estate in 2019

Automation is becoming a priority for commercial real estate firms, even as many still rely on spreadsheets and play catch-up on digital tools.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 3rd Feb 2019

Smart Cities

Megacity projects worth trillions planned and ongoing

Asia-Pacific megacities dominate a US$4.2trn construction pipeline, with Dubai and London leading projects tied to housing and infrastructure.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Mon, 10th Dec 2018

Robotics

Builders beware – robots are on the rise!

FBR’s share price jumped 21 per cent after its Hadrian X robot built a 180sq m house in under three days, signalling possible disruption for builders.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Fri, 7th Dec 2018