Eastern Urban Lands (EUL), Taupo

Common Ground were asked to shape a development framework that could deliver “an inspirational and affordable living environment” at a time of escalating house prices, whilst contributing positively to the overall visitor experience.

Following a robust land analysis process, Common Ground elected to utilise the network of ancient, but neglected, pumice drainage gullies that traversed the site to establish an open space framework and development character precincts. From this a series of urban design overlays helped establish a simple but robust movement network, the distribution of residential density and the location of mixed use centres.

The EUL concept was rigorously tested by infrastructure and financial experts through the land use consenting process ­– confirming that the development would become one of the major catalysts for the wider economic regeneration and re-development of the District.