With 40 new houses a day needed to cope with Auckland's exploding population, there's a real chance of developers putting the cart before the horse when it comes to the creation of functional communities.
Sure, the fast construction of housing stock is important but it's equally so for developers to consider the community they are creating, putting in place strategies to ensure its long-term success.
Developer John Sax is determined his new development, Market Cove in Auckland's Favona, on the shores of Manukau Harbour next to Mangere Bridge, will have everything needed for the creation of a strong and vibrant community.
During his long career in property development, Sax has travelled extensively - witnessing how forward-thinking developers use intelligent infrastructure to create great communities. He's passionate about putting these lessons into practice in Market Cove.
"We see this as an opportunity for us to take what we have learned as a business into the community," he says. "With a focus on quality, modern homes built to last, we want to encourage a real personal pride in future residents in the area which they live.
"Considered layout of open space and green areas throughout the development and streets and backyards designed in a way to encourage interaction between residents - those are just some of elements that will see Market Cove become a place of identity, community and belonging."
To foster this sense of community, Market Cove architects Dean Boothroyd and Peter Dredge have called upon their expertise in large-scale urban design to design a space that draws the public into the heart of the development.
As well as pocket parks with native plantings, and a central, large park area, there will be a community centre, retail and barbecue areas.
Another aspect of community growth will be the establishment of vegetable plots in the pocket parks dotted around the area. The land used to be a market garden and this will pay homage to its history - the fact that veges used to thrive in the area is an excellent sign the conditions are great for growing.
To encourage a healthy lifestyle and allow residents to get out and make the most of the surrounding landscape and the proximity to Manukau Harbour, Auckland Council has committed to developing a cycleway that connects Market Cove to the existing path that runs along the shore to Mangere Bridge and across the bridge to Onehunga. This will create a connection with established areas in the district and open up Market Cove to those already living in Favona.
Building a strong, resilient community within the development is one thing but Sax is equally passionate about outreach to the surrounding community. Favona is traditionally a low-income area, peppered with social housing.
By creating communal facilities, such as a central community centre within Market Cove, Sax wants to engage with the community in a tangible way.
There will also be an offer of social housing in the midst of the regular housing stock; the aim is to create a new housing area with a genuinely diverse mix of people and cultures.
"Whether it's young professionals priced out of the inner city fringe, or the older generation looking to downsize, we're seeing a real mix of buyers from outside the area attracted by the great natural and lifestyle benefits this part of Auckland offers," says Suzie Wigglesworth, sales and marketing director of Market Cove.
"It is these 'newbies' to the area we believe will create a real vibrancy in Favona. Equally important for us is ensuring Market Cove offers an option for locals as their living circumstances change. It is this mix that will create the real, diverse feel which will make the Market Cove community so unique."
One of the cornerstones of Sax's vision for development is helping those who are less able to move out of their current circumstances. He anticipates the community centre will one day host a regular market, social services as well as childcare and other community initiatives for its residents.
Work is already under way with existing community housing providers to develop a strategic social housing policy for Market Cove. It's also hoped that, by situating social housing in the midst of owner/occupier homes, people will benefit from living alongside those who may not be in their usual social sphere.
"We are envisaging single parent families who are receiving benefits living next to professionals such as doctors," says Sax. "The vision is around people who don't have so much being supported by their community."