Sustainable Places

About Pillars Projects People Insights Services

What are Sustainable Places?

WSP’s sustainable places team endeavours to connect people and places via quality spaces where we can live, work, play and visit.

WSP’s vision for sustainable places is to co-create places that reflect the identity of the communities they serve. We put people at the centre of our approach to create sustainable places that promote health and wellbeing, connectivity and interactivity.

We combine strategic global insights with a multidisciplinary team of urban designers, architects, and landscape architects to deliver comprehensive design solutions across all stages of the project lifecycle.

We believe successful placemaking strengthens the connection between people, land, taiao (the natural world), te ngākau (heart of people + place), and environment as well as supports the regeneration of ecosystems, biodiversity and oranga (well-being).

Our lens

We are strategically positioned at the interface between environment, communities, and built systems. We listen and combine design, infrastructure, art, engagement and technical capability to envision, create, manage, conserve and enhance places and spaces.

We consider each project through the lens of a quadruple bottom line: Environmental, Societal, Cultural, Economic.

Creating a sense of place in Aotearoa

Dedicated to sustainability, our team collaborates to design unique living environments for Aotearoa that elevate society, the natural and built environments. We specialise in constructing vibrant, resilient neighbourhoods that foster a strong sense of community and provide excellent public spaces for our whanau and the broader community to enjoy and thrive in.

Through innovative design and thoughtful planning, we aim to create places that not only meet the needs of today but contribute to a sustainable and flourishing future for generations to come.

We are designers engineering comprehensive macro + micro placemaking solutions.

Our process is centred around the binding thread

- Tūmatakahuki, bringing people and places together

- growing a long- term vision for taiao (the natural world)

- te ngākau (heart of people + place)

- oranga (well-being)

- promoting a resilient built and environmental legacy

Our team can help you with:

Sustainable Placemaking Vision

We work with you to create strategic visions and place-based narratives that inform comprehensive long-term solutions for projects and places.

Partnerships

We are experts at connecting the dots seamlessly. We leverage relationships to bring together the combined expertise of WSP’s global talent, partners and clients at key points in the design journey.

Te Taiao, Habitats and Environmental Design

Our multidisciplinary team is environmentally centred and provides responsive design and technical capabilities to address climate challenges and ensure regenerative outcomes.

Journey and Movement Network Planning

Transport networks are a catalyst for urban renewal and city-making. We are specialists in multi-modal integration, transport-oriented design, connected development and precinct planning. We manage complexity with a systems-based approach to expertly respond to evolving priorities.

Engagement and Facilitation

We offer strong engagement and facilitation navigation, management and coordination. We understand the importance of participative design and ensuring that a sense of community ownership is inbuilt into design and implementation of place. We engage interactively and collaborate with mana whenua, key stakeholders, community and our clients to listen, explore and test project opportunities as well as issues.

Activation + Catalytic Design

We look at the macro and micro scale of key interventions and transformations that will influence the wider community. We deliver greater value by driving smart urban decision-making.

Resilience and Recovery

We develop strategies to achieve carbon neutrality and urban durability. We enhance sustainability, identify potential risks and opportunities to become more responsive and resilient to climate action. We implement equitable adaptation solutions that prioritise community and stakeholder engagement and biodiversity net gain.

Projects

Christchurch, New Zealand

Avon River Precinct / Te Papa Ōtākaro

WSP is helping to recreate the heart of Christchurch with a space that will promote recreation, tourism, business growth and central city living for residents and visitors alike.

Canterbury, New Zealand

North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR)

NCTIR is an alliance that was established in late December 2016 to restore the earthquake damaged infrastructure along the South Island's East Coast.

Marlborough, New Zealand

SH1 New Ōpaoa River Bridge

WSP provided design, conservation, and construction monitoring services for the new Ōpaoa River Bridge, combining safety, strength and celebration of mana whenua and the rich local history.

Dunedin, New Zealand

Whakahekerau Rakiātea Rautaki Tai – St Clair to St Kilda Coastal Plan

The purpose of The St Clair - St Kilda Coastal Plan was to engage the community in developing a plan to adapt the effects of coastal hazards and climate change, ensuring the people understood it and had the opportunity to input.

Nelson, New Zealand

Brightwater Main Street Upgrade

In partnership with Tasman District Council, we are making improvements to the main street of Brightwater to make it safer and more attractive public space.