Refining urban design governance: an investigation of the urban design assessment processes in Aotearoa New Zealand

This article investigates the urban design decision-making processes within Aotearoa New Zealand. It analyses documents and terminologies in assessments of residential developments maps professions that prepare them. draws data from four cities: Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch. The findings reveal a core referenced documentation but uncertainty regarding supplementary documents, variety terminologies, range expertise qualifications those preparing assessments. These suggest further guidance prescribed professional standards are desirable to refine governance sector