Events Calendar

The upcoming seminar is a research topic presentation, presented by Hamish Rennie – Associate Professor in Environmental Planning, LU.

Rippling reflections on land, water and sea scapes in a planner-verse.

Regulatory planning outcomes shape the water/sea/air/sound/land-scapes of ecosystems and species, including humans. A common input to the planning process leading to those outcomes are assessments of the [land]scape. The nature and role of that input is shaped by the planning legisation. The Resource Management Act 1991(RMA) marked a significant change in regulatory  planning from that of the preceding Town and Country Planning Act 1977. These changes may be undone with proposed major reformation to planning legislation later this year.  While some important landscape relevant aspects of pre-RMA legislation were deliberately retained, there have been significant challenges and developments to planners’ understanding of the role of landscape architects over the last 30 years.  Among these have been the challenges posed by marinescapes and waterscapes and the concept of natural character.  Drawing on examples from his direct experience as a policy-maker, hearings commissioner, applicant, submitter, expert witness and researcher,  Dr Rennie reflects on the past, present and possible future role of landscape architects in the planning process.

Bios

Hamish Rennie - My research area is geography, environmental planning and management. I apply geographical and planning technical skills and knowledge to environmental problem solving. My primary focus is management of commons (e.g., oceans, freshwater, biodiversity), especially multi-layered commons. Within this I examine how to empower people and establish formal and informal institutions to minimise conflict over resource use and achieve sustainable resilient livelihoods. As a professional planner my focus is on planning as a form of social technology or applied geography and on geography as the source of knowledge on spatial relationships with place. My research and practical experience has helped shape coastal policy and law and led to commissions to assist United Nations’ agencies, regional councils, iwi and community organisations in areas ranging from building resilient tourism to improving the health of Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora, water, riparian area management and identifying and protecting heritage like natural surf breaks. I love theory and testing it through application in the more-than-human world.