Ashlee Adams
Ashlee says that urban planners aim to ensure a livable and beneficial environment for residents and visitors.
Urban Planning is about considering all aspects of the environment from the perspective of everyone who lives in or visits where we live. Urban planners aim to ensure a liveable, beneficial environment.
"I love the idea of improving things and was pulled towards something that would have a tangible impact on sustainability. With Urban Planning, we learn how to help make our little part of the world better.
“Initially I was nervous, as I hadn’t studied subjects that you would think would be beneficial in this degree. But I soon found out that you're supported in learning everything you need to know. From using graphics software to create plans and models, to refining your writing skills, we work towards developing an understanding of complex political, cultural and ecological contexts and impacts that will inform our approaches to future challenges.
“Recently I researched a wastewater tunnel project happening in Auckland. This cemented the relationship between what we had been learning in class and what was currently happening in real life. It showed me how broad urban planning can be and the potential for social and environmental impact, on people and place. It’s more than just segmenting the land and organising bus routes – urban planning can connect to almost anything.”