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You are here: Publications Urban Exploring the Built Environment - Cover sheet Online version

Exploring the Built Environment - Cover sheet

About the Year of the Built Environment 2005

2005 was declared the Year of the Built Environment. The Year provided an opportunity to explore and celebrate the built environment – the buildings and spaces where we all live, work and play.

The aims of the Year of the Built Environment 2005 were to:

  • increase public awareness of the importance of the built environment to people's lives
  • promote inter-disciplinary professional thinking and activities
  • identify and celebrate successful achievements in the built environment
  • improve the understanding of the relationship between the built and natural environments
  • debate emerging problems within the built environment and find solutions
  • encourage participation in resolving issues of planning and design and maintaining a quality built environment
  • increase the appreciation of the cultural and heritage value of the built environment
  • empower the general public to influence their own built environment.

The Year of the Built Environment 2005 programme aimed to specifically involve New Zealand youth in the Year’s activities.

What is the built environment?

The built environment encompasses the buildings, spaces, places and structures in which we live, work and play. It includes all types of buildings, such as the house you live in, the office, factory, school or shop you work in, and the gym, café or theatre you socialise in. It also includes the connecting spaces between these places, such as transport networks and public parks.

The built environment is familiar and easily accessible to most New Zealanders – almost 87 percent of us live in urban areas. It impacts on our quality of life and how we feel. The challenge is to create an environment that is valued, that works for people, and that is appreciated both by the people who live there and by visitors.

The Year of the Built Environment 2005 Youth Activity Pack

A number of activity sheets have been prepared to provide examples of activities teachers can conduct with their students to increase the students’ understanding and awareness of the built environment.

The activity sheets are designed for year 7 and 8 school children (10 to 13 year olds) and require students to consider the built environment and its relevance to their everyday lives. The activity sheets aim to support students to develop:

  • awareness of the built environment and related issues
  • knowledge and understanding of the built environment and its importance in peoples lives
  • attitudes and values that reflect an appreciation for the built environment
  • skills involved in identifying, investigating and problem solving associated with built environment issues
  • a sense of responsibility through participation and action as individuals (and as members of a group) in addressing built environment issues.

Activity sheets

The following activity sheets have been developed:

  1. What is the Built Environment? – this activity introduces students to the built environment and the contribution it makes to their quality of life.
  2. Your Neighbourhood – through this activity, students will learn about the elements that make up a neighbourhood and will develop a greater interest in matters affecting their neighbourhood.
  3. Your Town/City in the Past – this activity introduces students to a local building of historical significance and teaches them about the history of their city and life in earlier time periods.
  4. Your Town/City Now – through this activity, students will develop an awareness of the identity of their town/city.
  5. Your Town/City in the Future – through this activity, students will develop an awareness of the built environment issues that affect their town/city now and into the future, and an understanding of potential solutions.
  6. Your School – through this activity, students will explore issues their school faces and potential solutions.
  7. Visit a Local Park – through this activity, students will develop an understanding of the importance of green spaces in the built environment.
  8. Visit from a Built Environment Professional – through this activity, students will develop an awareness of the wide range of professions that contribute to the development and management of the built environment.

More information

Visit our website: www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/urban/ or contact the Ministry for the Environment’s Urban Group by emailing urban.design@mfe.govt.nz or phoning (04) 439 7400.