Christian Isaac
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) graduate Christian helps shape urban growth as a resource consent planner at Auckland Council.
“I was drawn to the Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) as I liked the idea of an interdisciplinary degree that incorporates social sciences, environmental sciences, economics and design
No day is ever boring. The courses are very relevant to issues currently facing our society, and they offer avenues for creativity and collaboration.
“My lecturers were not only approachable, but they were also considerate of our workload and well-being. I got to know my classmates well as we stayed together throughout the four years of the degree. Having familiar faces in my classes really helped in creating new friendships at university.
“In my final year, I took part in the NZPI Emerging Planners Mentoring Programme and was partnered with a principal planner at Auckland Council. It was great to connect with professionals in the field and realise how the knowledge I’d gained through study applied to real situations.
“As a resource consent planner, a large part of my role is ensuring that residential development proposals reflect the intended vision for Auckland’s urban form and adequately manage adverse effects arising from the proposed activity.
“Being involved in planning is like influencing the brushstrokes in a painting. You can either make a mess or piece of art. Similarly, with the city, you can positively influence its direction and growth, creating solutions for the present and the future.”