Functioning Cities: Making Mixed Use “as-of-right.”

Mixed Use = Connected Cities!

The best neighborhoods offer much more than just homes to live in… they offer spaces people want to gather, shop, and enjoy! Cities would be well advised to overhaul zoning to allow for true mixed use communities that blend housing with placemaking spaces.

This is true, the best neighbourhoods (not Centres as they are mixed use by default) are those that offer more than just a dwelling to live in, and some commute to some place over there for the most basic of amenities!

It need not be this way, when a City, Region, or even Central Government allows for what is called “Mixed Use, as-of-right.”

What is Mixed use, as-of-right?!

Note: Mixed Use “as-of-right” – is written in the Aotearoa-New Zealand context but equally applies internationally as well.

Mixed use is typically already “permitted” in Centres Zones like City Centre, Metropolitan Centre, Town Centre, Local Centre, Neighbourhood Centre, and a specialised Mixed Use Zone (these are all in the Auckland Unitary Plan) and allow for wide range of mixed use.

Now note the language: WIDE RANGE of mixed use.

In the recent Going for Housing Growth consultation that will inform Aotearoa’s future Planning Act 2027, a question was asked around Mixed Use outside of the Centres.

I guided our organisation’s submission through calling for Mixed Use as-of-right for a NARROW RANGE of mixed use activities in residential areas.

That is corner sites especially in medium density residential zones (can work in lower density but that is better covered by a Neighbourhood Centre Zone) would allow for mixed use as a permitted activity. BUT note I said narrow-range. Narrow range would be for example: dairy, hair salon, cafe, stationery store, community space, co-share office space, even a real estate office.

The point being allowing Mixed Use as of right for a narrow range of activities does not displace our Centres, but it allows universal access for all mobility types to some very basic amenities AND social cohesion aka community!