ADVISORY SERVICES
Spatial Planning and Growth Scenario Advisory
Helping New Zealand councils turn growth, infrastructure and asset information into clear, testable and implementable spatial decisions
New Zealand’s Planning Framework is Changing
The Planning Bill 2025 proposes a stronger regional spatial planning framework, with regional spatial plans required to bring together growth, infrastructure, investment and land use priorities across councils.
For councils, the challenge is turning existing growth strategies, infrastructure priorities, property information, asset data and local evidence into clear spatial options that can be tested, compared and implemented.
Align can assist councils to move away from static spatial plans and towards a problem led and outcome focused approach. Each map, model, scenario or digital twin should be designed around the decision it needs to support and the improvement it is intended to achieve.
OUR APPROACH
Supporting better decision making through digital modelling
Digital models, scenario tools and digital twins create value when they help councils test options, understand trade offs and make clearer investment and implementation decisions.
SITE ANALYSIS
Understanding site context, constraints, opportunities and the relationship between land use, infrastructure and future development options.
START WITH THE PROBLEM
Define the growth, infrastructure, asset, resilience or investment decision that needs to be improved.
BUILD THE RIGHT OUTPUT
Scope the model, map, dashboard or digital twin around the decision it needs to support.
WORK BACK TO THE EVIDENCE
Identify the spatial data, assumptions and constraints needed to properly test options.
CREATE AN IMPLEMENTABLE PATHWAY
Use the outputs to guide staging, investment, governance, monitoring and future updates.
OUR OUTPUTS
Practical spatial planning outputs that support real decisions
Align provides spatial planning advice and supporting spatial outputs to help councils move from broad growth aspirations to practical, evidence based decisions. Our work brings together available spatial, planning, infrastructure, property and asset information to test options, identify opportunities and constraints, and clearly record any data gaps, assumptions or limitations that need to be considered.
SCENARIO TESTING
Using spatial planning, modelling and available data to test development capacity, growth scenarios, infrastructure implications, staging options and trade offs.
SPATIAL EVIDENCE REPORTS
Clear mapping and advice to explain constraints, opportunities and planning implications.
IMPLEMENTATION PATHWAYS
Scope the model, map, dashboard or digital twin around the decision it needs to support.
SCENARIO COMPARISONS
Side by side testing of different growth, land use, infrastructure and staging options.
DECISION READY VISUALS
Maps, diagrams, dashboards and model outputs that help communicate options clearly.