Researchers at the University of Auckland have received a grant from the Marsden Fund amounting to $853,000 to investigate the implications of New Zealand”s recent upzoning initiatives. This research aims to address a critical question in the housing sector: who truly benefits from these zoning changes?
Leading the project are Associate Professor Ryan Greenaway-McGrevy and Distinguished Professor Peter Phillips. Their team will delve into the social and economic impacts of significant zoning reforms, including the Auckland Unitary Plan, which was established in 2016. The reform reclassified approximately three-quarters of Auckland”s residential land, permitting the construction of medium- and high-density housing in areas that were previously restricted to single-house zones.
According to Greenaway-McGrevy, “Where we live and grow up matters for a variety of life outcomes,” highlighting the importance of assessing how zoning reforms can shift the geography of opportunity within communities.
Previous research, funded by the Marsden Fund, indicated that the upzoning led to an increase in housing construction and alleviated rental pressures. However, Greenaway-McGrevy”s current focus is to explore the broader socio-economic ramifications of these reforms.
“While the potential for upzoning to increase inequalities within urban areas is concerning, it may also create housing opportunities in neighborhoods that were once inaccessible to many households,” he noted.
The lack of comprehensive evidence regarding the effects of extensive zoning reforms on spatial inequality has been a significant gap in the research landscape, particularly since such reforms have been infrequent. Understanding these outcomes is crucial for evaluating the potential impacts of ongoing policy proposals and refining future zoning strategies.
This study aims to provide pioneering case studies that will shed light on how large-scale upzoning influences neighborhood dynamics, social mobility, and access to opportunities. The findings will be invaluable for policymakers not only in New Zealand but also in other regions considering similar reforms.
This year”s Marsden Fund has allocated a total of 107 grants, with 31 awards totaling $24.3 million designated for researchers at the University of Auckland across various fields.
