In every housing development project, one of the key objectives is create a design with both immediate & lasting appeal. However, one of the hurdles faced in achieving this is consistent change – in the needs of the market, the size of our population & demands of local councils to make efficient use of available space.

Today, ASAP Plans will look at the benefits of multi-unit developments & how approaching a project with this knowledge can help avoid setbacks throughout development & meet the current & future needs of our country’s homebuyers.

Population & housing developments are trending upward

To illustrate the importance of multi-unit developments, we can look at the data from Stats NZ, courtesy of the New Zealand Government. There are a few key figures that indicate the need for better design & use of space; our population statistics, housing consents & international migration.

The New Zealand population has seen a steady rise – much the same as the rest of the world – with little indication of slowing down. Less than 20 years ago, our population stood at 3,855,900 in March 2000, a figure which has increased to 4,926,400 according to December 2018 data.

Housing consents in New Zealand have shown a similar trend, where a major dip in 2009 & 2011 brought the figures to 1,238 & 1,139 housing consents respectively, but have since increased each year in another upward trend, with May 2018 recording nearly three times the 2011 number: 3,407.

International migration figures have shown nearly double the number of individuals arriving in New Zealand in comparison to those leaving – since 2014, this number has shown year-on-year consistency, rising from just over 10,000 arrivals to 14,000 in January 2019.

Adapting a housing development to a changing New Zealand market

We’ve discussed how crucial it is to know your market & your local area when approaching a project & associated local council, but the collection of figures above are important on a national level as well. This is where adapting a development to include high-density designs will offer a forward-thinking solution to housing demands.

Multi-unit developments provide an affordable & efficient way to create a development through townhouses, terrace apartments & duplexes. By engaging with a team of experienced designers & engineers, you can make the most of smaller sites, creating multi-unit developments in areas where the landscape may have previously hindered housing opportunities – such as steep slopes or remote areas where minimal maintenance is paramount.

The other major benefit of multi-unit sites is in placing them with close proximity to major city centres; access to amenities is vital for both homebuyers & the councils approving the development for Resource Consent & Building Consent. This can enable our clients to build high-quality, architecturally appealing housing, without sacrificing the quality demands of a major city centre or growing local town.

ASAP Plans – a team of experts that can help make your project a reality

At ASAP Plans, our team offer a wide range of expert services. We’re experts at working with councils, providing affordable housing plans for developers, building & housing companies, or anyone wanting to create new housing developments or subdivisions. We can offer architectural design services to create unique, geographically suitable & relevant designs, ensuring your new development stands the test of time.

If you’d like to know more about our services, need advice or support during the Resource Consent & Building Consent stage, or want to discuss how we can offer plans designed to perfectly suit New Zealand’s lifestyle & environment, contact our team today to find out more. Our services encompass everything you need to get a plan from conception, to design, development & beyond.