Breakfast sessions
Tuesday 19 March, 7:00am - 8:15am

Join one of three presenters at one of three cafes within walking distance of Tākina for a discussion on one of the below topics.
Please note this is self funded and you will need to cover your own breakfast costs.

Breakfast with Claire Pascoe
The Grey Zone - how we navigate design integrity vs public acceptance
​decisions

​Are you responsible for delivering walking and cycling projects that involve contentious road space re-allocation? Are you often wondering what compromises are vital for the project to retain public acceptance and when a compromise goes too far in terms of the outcomes being undermined? Have you got some stories to share of where you got it right, and where you didn’t quite get it right? Do you have some reflections from your own experience? Come along for a general chat on the topic over breakfast.
People’s Coffee
40 Taranaki St

Breakfast with Ben van Bruggen
The Urban Room - create spaces for critical conversations.

​Where might you go to show an interested child or a first-time visitor the evolving story of your city’s development? How can we communicate, inspire and encourage debate, discourse and discussion about the past, present and future of our cities?

The Urban Room presents a new way of addressing this. It is a physical and virtual space dedicated to explaining the changing nature of a place. For Auckland, this means the challenges of climate degradation, finding adequate housing, effective transport and the unique identity of a Pacifica city.

Long-term city planning is complex. Our electoral and financial cycles are often short and it may well be easier to follow the status quo rather than choose to confront the challenges facing future generations. While councils set out long-term goals and objectives through strategic documents such as the Auckland Plan 2050, we still struggle to describe how Auckland and other cities will develop.

For success, it is essential we take a long-term and inclusive approach to city planning. We not only need to find new ways of engaging people living in the city with local government, central government, businesses, tourists, and universities but also bring all parties to the table, not just the most vocal.

Urban rooms are already commonplace in European cities and in Asia. Shanghai’s Urban Planning Exhibition Centre is a prominent six-storey building in the centre of the city that proudly displays a huge scale model of the city. Singapore’s mega model is located in the city gallery. Since 1999 it has been telling that city’s story while making planning information accessible and digestible.

The Urban Room in Aotearoa is an independent forum for debating the choices we face and understanding what sort of place our cities are and how they will develop in the future.
Isthmus cafe
191 Cuba St, Wellington (entrance around the corner on Vivian St)

Breakfast with Catarina Gutierrez
Women in Urbanism.

​Join us for a Morning Meetup with Women in Urbanism Aotearoa!

Indulge in a delightful morning of inspiration, connection, and croissants as we gather for a special meetup hosted by Women in Urbanism. This unique event is designed for women who are passionate about shaping the future of our urban landscapes. 

Unite with like-minded women from diverse backgrounds, all driven by a shared vision for creating vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable cities. Whether you're a seasoned professional, an aspiring urban planner, or simply curious about the world of urbanism, this meetup offers the perfect platform to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build lasting connections.

Fuel your morning with coffee and conversations that matter. Engage in discussions on urban development, community engagement, and the pivotal role women play in shaping the cities of tomorrow. Open to the public..
Glou Glou Cafe
17a Allen Street, Te Aro