Sustainable Pathways Objective 1 - Urban Metabolism

Progress with Sustainable pathways - Auckland project

Objective 1, Milestone 1 – Top down data for Auckland’s urban metabolism

The derivation and collection of top-down data for the Auckland region urban metabolism model has been completed. This meets the milestone deadline of June 2004. This includes data extraction and regionalisation of data from numerous statistical sources including the New Zealand Inter-industry Study, Harmonised System trade statistics, industry reports, producer boards, nationally and regionally important scientific databases, academic publications, various technical reports and so on. All data have been coded to predetermined economic/environmental classifications - as required for the Physical Input-Output Table described in Objective 1, Milestone 3. This ensured any data gaps and omissions were identified and plugged so a comprehensive dataset was produced. A report outlining data sources and methods employed has been completed.

Objective 1, Milestone 3 – Physical Input-Output Table (PIOT) of Auckland Region

The data from Objective 1, Milestone 1 have been incorporated into a prototype Physical Input-Output Table for Auckland economy that enables users to track the implications of possible economic change on the region’s biophysical environment and vice versa. A methodology has been established for generating regional PIOTs from national level information. This methodology employs a top-down regionalisation approach that allows insertion of detailed region specific data. This method has been written up in a draft paper entitled ‘Towards a New Zealand Physical Input-Output Table’. Information gaps and key figures in the prototype table have been targeted for further work. The model is completed.

Progress with Sustainable pathways - Christchurch project

Following a series of meetings with Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury staff and management, it was agreed that the project would pursue two avenues of research/stakeholder focus. The project initially provided assistance with metro Christchurch’s Urban Development Strategy (UDS) work. This involved providing policy makers with an understanding of the current resource use in metropolitan Christchurch. Now the project is focused on the issue of water scarcity in Canterbury.

As a result of the Christchurch UDS work we have produced a number of research reports.