Submission to Te Waihanga on National Infrastructure Plan discussion document
Open, vegetated drain in the Travis wetland, Avondale, Christchurch. Jon Sullivan, Flickr.
PCE has made a submission to Te Waihanga, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission on its discussion document: Testing our thinking – developing an enduring National Infrastructure Plan.
This submission draws on PCE's research into urban green space and urban soil, as well as a roundtable discussion organised by PCE with Te Waihanga and other stakeholders. It is intended to start further conversation on the opportunities that ecological infrastructure (nature-based solutions and green infrastructure) can provide and the increased role that certain infrastructure can play in dealing with the effects of climate change.
The submission argues that ecological infrastructure needs to be viewed as an asset, just like physical infrastructure, which can provide wide-ranging benefits. Changes are needed to ensure that ecological infrastructure is considered on an equal playing field with traditional ‘grey infrastructure’.