Paki - Urban Design Manager

 

• How long have you worked at HCC?

10 months.

 

• What attracted you to the role?

The ability to be part of the hands-on strategy that shapes the development of Hutt City.

 

• What does your job involve – day to day things?

1.  Overseeing the design & development of urban spaces eg. High Street Upgrade.
2.  Developing policy for facets of urban design, e.g. writing policy to protect heritage buildings.
3.  Working with developers to encourage desirably built projects for best strategic fit within a wider vision for the whole city.
4.  Working with other council officers to achieve the best built projects possible for the city eg. coordination of council team work to revitalise suburban shopping centres such as Hillary Court in Naenae and Scott Court in Stokes Valley.
5. Speaking to public groups such as Rotary and Secondary School students to promote urban design and good quality design in building the city.

 

• Things about the job that you enjoy the most…

Direct involvement with real local city issues, the varied nature of work, and the wide cross section of people with whom I interact with on a daily basis eg. the many and varied council staff, politicians, business people, community leaders, residents, youth etc.

 

• What is your view of the main benefits of working at HCC / in Lower Hutt?

1. being close to and aware of the issues for the city and having direct influence to address these issues.
2. excellent working conditions and access to extramural activites such as sport and kapa haka.
3. being well supported by my peers and management.

 

• What skills & attributes do you think someone will need to do your job?

1. A background in architecture or landscape architecture to understand public architecture, design, and what works for cities and people.
2. Experience with construction projects, preferably larger scale and public projects to understand multi-displincary project teams.
3. Ability to work with other people (with perhaps other interests to you), be part of a team, but also be able to lead people.
4. Ability to work in a large organisation and within a political environment