Future Ready ®

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With Future Ready® we see the future more clearly and challenge our teams across the world to advise and design for this future as well as today.

It underpins our global and local strategies at WSP and empowers our teams to deliver more resilient, sustainable and cost-effective solutions for the future.

Recognising that our future world will be very different from today, Future Ready® provides a systematic approach to identifying the key trends relevant to our work, enabling us to understand the future more clearly and take action today.

As world shapers, WSP is pioneering a Future Ready® world one precious location and community at a time.

We analyse future trends across four pillars

Future Ready® leverages research to understand the future implications of key global and local trends across climate, society, technology and resources, and the implications on the built and natural environment.

The New Zealand Future Ready® Megatrends are updated regularly, and provide an evidence based overview of the most important trends impacting our environments over the next 20-70 years.

Future Ready® helps us all to think beyond the conventional so that we can deliver infrastructure ready for today’s code as well as tomorrow’s challenges.

Research & Thought Leadership

By designing for the long – as well as the short term – and by sharing our approach and insights, we progressively help cities, communities and clients get ready for the future. Ready for rapid urbanisation, ready for heavier rainfall and hotter temperatures, and ready for a more connected world.

WSP Future Ready® thought leadership provides you with access to our network of over 73,000 local and global experts, as well as articles, papers and webinars.

Future Ready Case Studies

Otago Agroforestry

The agroforestry system was developed with Future Ready® principles at its foundation. Tree species were carefully selected for their resilience in low-rainfall, high-wind environments. By anticipating future challenges such as more frequent droughts and the growing importance of water conservation, the system enhances irrigation efficiency and helps retain soil moisture. Additionally, it provides vital shelter for livestock, reducing heat stress as the number of hot days in the region continues to rise.

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Hutt City Council Integrated Transport Strategy

Hutt City Council collaborated with WSP to develop an Integrated Transport Strategy adopted in February 2022. The strategy, aimed at securing enduring community support, addressed key Future Ready® trends, including decarbonisation, sea level rise, storm intensity and frequency, changing demographics, health and wellbeing, and new mobility.

Completing a Future Ready® checklist and hosting interactive workshops helped identify strategic responses, allowing the project to tackle future challenges efficiently. Specific focus areas involved developing a connected and safe network for active modes, supporting innovative solutions to reduce emissions by locating housing and services close to employment centers.

The integrated approach streamlined the design process, allowing WSP to address issues more efficiently and present them in a global context, reducing costs for the client and ensuring a forward-looking perspective for Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt's transport strategy.

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Whakahekerau Rakiātea Rautaki Tai St Clair to St Kilda

The St Clair to St Kilda coastline is vital for Dunedin, offering protection, habitats, and recreation. To address climate change and rising sea levels, Dunedin City Council partnered with WSP to engage the community in a climate adaptation plan. Considered future trends included sea level rise, coastal risks, intensified storms, and impacts on biodiversity.

The design process involved collaborative visioning and planning with the community, using various engagement methods like workshops and surveys. Future Ready® principles were integrated to build resilience within the community and establish trust among stakeholders. The project significantly contributed to Dunedin's climate adaptation plan, allowing community input to influence funding and priorities.

Recognised for exceptional community engagement, it earned awards for its success at the 2021 International Association of Public Participation Australasia Core Value Awards.

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Western Corridor Water Supply Implementation Plan

Tauranga City Council (TCC) partnered with WSP to plan for the future development of the Western Corridor amid significant population growth. The project aimed to identify resilient water supply options considering Future Ready® megatrends like water and waste management, decarbonisation, and increasing drought risks.

Beginning with a Future Ready® workshop, WSP aligned priorities with critical trends, ensuring adaptability for multiple possible futures. Collaborating with local iwi reflected kaitiakitanga principles. WSP's expertise in master planning, resilience, and sustainability ensured timely, cost-effective solutions integrated with existing infrastructure.

The selected proposal provided value for money, met community and iwi needs, and offered long-term benefits to Tauranga. The project's success lies in its ability to address challenges and opportunities presented by Future Ready® megatrends, creating a water-secure, sustainable future for the vibrant city.

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Tuhoe Road to Nature

WSP's Research and Innovation Centre, in collaboration with Ngāi Tūhoe, is leading a transformative project for Te Urewera's State Highway 38. Seeking a sustainable, petroleum-free surfacing option, the project addresses the region's connectivity needs while aligning with future trends of decarbonisation and social connectivity.

By prioritising community engagement and cultural sensitivity, WSP developed an innovative solution using a non-bituminous, locally-sourced natural resin as a binder. Monitored test sites confirmed the viability of the new surface, showcasing reduced maintenance and improved performance.

With a Future Ready® approach, the project reflects environmental aspirations, community connectivity, and sustainable tourism. As it progresses to its next stage, Te Urewera's State Highway 38 is poised to set an example of environmental stewardship and community resilience.

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Ruakura Reservoir

The Ruakura Inland Port project aims to establish a premier logistics and industrial hub in New Zealand. Hamilton City Council collaborated with WSP to develop bulk water infrastructure for the port, considering future trends like climate changes, population growth, and seismic resilience.

The reservoir design catered for Hamilton's expected growth and provided more water storage during droughts. It was built to Importance Level 4 (IL4) seismic standard, a first in Hamilton.

Integrating Future Ready® principles enhanced water network resilience and cost-effectiveness. Staged manifold designs for flow flexibility and recycling surplus materials contributed to a sustainable approach.

The project was completed within a tight three-year timeline, meeting stakeholders' commercial needs and ensuring a thriving community with a reliable water supply.

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Kotuku Apartments

Wellington City Council (WCC) collaborated with WSP to revamp the Kotuku apartment complex, prioritising sustainability and community well-being. The 1963 buildings, housing 104 studio apartments, underwent significant renovation and reconfiguration to meet modern expectations.

Anticipating future trends, the project addressed increasing loneliness by creating family-friendly apartments, fostering social connections. With public transport expansion in mind, WCC transformed private parking areas into communal and recreational spaces.
Innovative 21st-century technology was integrated, updating electrical systems and internet connections for efficiency and comfort. The upgrade also improved weathertightness with double glazing, facing challenges posed by extreme weather.

The Kotuku project received recognition, earning NZIA Architectural Local and National Resene Colour Awards. It stands as an exemplary model of affordable and sustainable social housing, empowering residents to truly call it home.

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Christchurch Major Cycle Routes

Christchurch City Council (CCC) initiated a major cycle routes project to promote cycling as a viable transportation option with safe routes for all ages. WSP led the development of interconnected routes from investigation to construction support, aiming for 80% operational routes by mid-2023.

The design process considered future trends like obesity, decarbonisation, extreme weather, loneliness, and biodiversity. The team engaged schools, communities, and businesses, incorporating their input to make the cycleways attractive and safe for all. Integrating Future Ready® principles led to increased cycling uptake, better safety, and reduced carbon emissions.

Native tree planting addressed flood protection and biodiversity, while street enhancements fostered community cohesion and inclusivity, making the cycleways an appealing alternative for various user groups.

thn_web_Chatham_Islands wind farm project

Chatham Island Renewable Energy

Integrating Future Ready® thinking enabled an innovative, lower-carbon approach to energy resilience and supply for one of New Zealand’s most remote communities.

The Chatham Island Renewable Energy Project (CIREP) has transformed energy resilience for one of New Zealand’s most remote communities. CIREP is not only a technically innovative approach to energy resilience and supply for the island, but also a step towards sustainability and cost savings for the local community.

Electricity for the Chatham Island community is historically generated using diesel supplied by ship, with residents and businesses connected to the grid subject to extremely high-power prices of 129.5c/kWh, more than four times the average price in New Zealand. Following the completion of the project, the Island has already experienced days running entirely on wind power, with the diesel generator completely shut down.

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WSP New Zealand’s partnership with The Helen Clark Foundation

WSP and The Helen Clark Foundation have partnered to share expertise and resources to deliver an evidence-based perspective on social issues.

Find out more about our Partnership

New Zealand invests billions of dollars in infrastructure each year. At WSP, our work with the Helen Clark Foundation on Measuring What Matters: Getting the Best Value from Infrastructure Investment highlights a critical gap. Many major investment decisions are still made without a consistent, evidence-led assessment of value.

There is a significant opportunity to reshape how infrastructure is planned and prioritised by taking a more future-focused view of value. From climate change and resource pressures to an ageing population, New Zealand's investment decisions must consider today's needs as well as long-term outcomes for future generations. Our findings show that tools such as cost–benefit analysis (CBA) are not being applied as rigorously or consistently as they could be.

By combining robust economic analysis with a Future Ready approach, New Zealand can make more informed infrastructure investment decisions. This approach helps prioritise investments that deliver whole-of-life value, build resilience, and create stronger environmental, social and economic outcomes, resulting in infrastructure that is truly future ready.

Contact Our Future Ready® Team

Bridget McFlinn

Senior Vice President – Marketing and Communications, ANZ

New Zealand

Nicola Young

Head of Client Programmes

New Zealand

Sarah Murphy

Programme Manager

New Zealand

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