U3A Spring Series: The Future of Cities 3

The future of planning: values, technology and change

 Dr Joanna Ross, School of People, Environment and Planning, Massey University / PNCC & Tīwene Roberts, PNCC 

Urban planning is at a turning point. The Planning Act 2026 signals a shift from the RMA’s focus on sustainable management, towards greater recognition of private property rights. Combined with political pressure for faster decision-making, the introduction of standardised land-use zones/rules, and the potential of AI to transform the way we work and communicate, this shift is set to profoundly reshape planning practice. This seminar explores the future of planning in this context.

What's on at Central Library

View All
Baby Bop
Thu 5 Nov 10:00am - 10:45am

Baby Bop

Join us for a fun session designed for baby's brain development through nursery rhymes, activities, songs and having FUN.

Lib Lab web
Thu 5 Nov 3:45pm - 4:45pm

LibLab - Robot Wars! (Enough Said)

LibLab - Library fun with a touch of laboratory madness and book experimentation.

A stack of hardback books, spines facing away, with bookshelves and a figure reading in the background
Thu 5 Nov 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Central Library Book Group

Choose your own book to share, based on the monthly theme, and join us for a great discussion.

Website image placeholder mic
Fri 6 Nov 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Off the Page: An Evening with Lloyd Jones

Join us for a captivating Off the Page session featuring award-winning author Lloyd Jones in conversation with acclaimed writer Gigi Fenster.

Typewriter and mug PNCL CJ 2026
Mon 9 Nov 5:30pm - 7:00pm

Manawatū Writers' Hub

Join local writers for an evening of sharing and connection.

Waiata
Tue 10 Nov 12:00pm - 12:30pm

Manu Hāpai Waiata Group

Learning Te Reo Māori through waiata.

A colourful wreath of knitted flowers with text attributing its construction to the library's Heritage Craft Group.
Tue 10 Nov 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Heritage Handwork Group

Want to contribute to heritage craft projects? Please join us for drop-in crafting sessions on the Second Floor of the Central Library.

Photo of Zoe Stone for Forest Bird Nov 2026
Tue 10 Nov 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Forest & Bird Presents: Where the wild things are - Monitoring of cryptic species in the Manawatū

Many of our threatened species are cryptic and hard to monitor.

The audience for a children's event with toy elephant in the foreground
Wed 11 Nov 10:00am - 11:00am

Jumping Jellybeans @ Central

Come along and pack in as much fun as you can in our free session of stories, songs, activities and crafts! No booking required.

Two mugs of coffee in front of a stack books about te reo Māori, on a brown wooden surface
Wed 11 Nov 10:00am - 11:00am

Kōrero Kawhe

Do you need a place to practice speaking te reo Māori? Come along for a kawhe to build your kōrero skills in a relaxed environment.

X

Want to browse our content faster?

A more efficient way to browse our collection and access your account

No thanks, stay on site