People.
Place.
Purpose.
Your urban development specialists.
What is Urban Strategy?
There are many key players involved in creating our urban environments. Highly skilled in their area of expertise, these entities often operate in silos; requiring a necessary amount of tunnel vision in order to deliver a specific area of an urban project.
Urban Strategy connects the dots of all of these entities. An Urban Strategist is constantly looking at the broader picture; searching for creative and strategic solutions to bring these players together to solve complex urban challenges.
Why is it important?
To create urban environments that push boundaries, are innovative, and good for people, communities, business and the planet, these sectors need to be talking to each other.
In order to generate real, lasting change and solve the myriad of complex issues facing our housing markets, towns, neighbourhoods and cities, having an Urban Strategist is involved has never been more important.
An Urban Strategist on your team increases the likelihood of your project’s success.
About TUA
Co-founded by Urban Strategists Dr. Natalie Allen and Greer Jones, The Urban Advisory connects the dots between key players in the urban environment.
About TUA
Established in 2016, The Urban Advisory works across all sectors in every corner of Aotearoa New Zealand using research, strategy, design and delivery to make this country an even better place to live.
About TUA.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Our Vision
TUA’s mission is to create healthier and more equitable homes, neighbourhoods, towns and cities.
Our Vision
Our mission is to create healthier and more equitable homes, neighbourhoods, towns and cities.
Our Vision.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Meet the Directors
Urban Strategists Dr Natalie Allen and Greer Jones founded TUA in 2016, introducing the profession of Urban Strategy to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Meet the Directors
Urban Strategists Dr Natalie Allen and Greer Jones founded TUA in 2016, introducing the profession of Urban Strategy to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Meet the Directors.
Urban Strategists Dr Natalie Allen and Greer O’Donnell founded TUA in 2016, introducing the profession of Urban Strategy to Aotearoa New Zealand.
They both began careers in adjacent fields - Greer on the Christchurch City rebuild and Dr Natalie in researching housing needs and the role urban amenities play in our neighbourhoods. When they met, both had already recognised the critical need for Urban Strategy in NZ, and as a result, TUA was formed.
Natalie and Greer are thought leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Urban Environment and Development space. They are experienced in working with media to provide insight on current issues, leading study tours, working as educators, public speaking, running masterclasses and more.
Our People.
Our team is highly specialised and bespoke. We prioritise pulling the right people together for each project, which is why TUA has a strong network of affiliations and frequent collaborators.
Dr Natalie Allen
Managing Director + Urban Strategist
Dr Natalie Allen
PhD in Urban Design, Master of Architecture (Hons), Bachelor of Architecture (Hons), Bachelor of Architectural Studies
Natalie works with our clients to make the seemingly complex simple when it comes to designing and delivering our built environment.
She specialises in designing neighbourhoods that enhance wellbeing and is passionate about supporting our clients to innovate when it comes to delivering quality, resilient, and people-centric developments.
Natalie has a background in architecture, urban/spatial design, and urban governance and extensive research experience across a range of critical urban topics: integrated urban planning and community visioning, urban growth and increasing density, and housing preferences and demand. She maintains wide-ranging industry networks in both the public and private sectors and brings a creative, long-term strategic perspective to all our work.
Natalie regularly speaks at conferences, delivers webinars, is a panel moderator and writes about delivering citizen-centric neighbourhoods.
She grew up in Tāmaki Makarau and spent alternating weekends growing up visiting her tīpuna in Paihia, Te Tai Tokerau and Ngāmotu, Taranaki. She also spent formative time living in Costa Rica, Uganda, and Cheng du. Natalie currently lives in Tāmaki Makarau with her husband and two young daughters.
Natalie specialises in:
- Urban Research
- Urban Regeneration
- Housing Strategy
- Housing Needs Assessments
- Community + Stakeholder Engagement
Greer O'Donnell
Managing Director + Urban Strategist
Greer O'Donnell
Bachelor of Law, Bachelor of Arts (Political Science, Anthropology)
Natalie works with our clients to make the seemingly complex simple when it comes to designing and delivering our built environment.
She specialises in designing neighbourhoods that enhance wellbeing and is passionate about supporting our clients to innovate when it comes to delivering quality, resilient, and people-centric developments.
Natalie has a background in architecture, urban/spatial design, and urban governance and extensive research experience across a range of critical urban topics: integrated urban planning and community visioning, urban growth and increasing density, and housing preferences and demand. She maintains wide-ranging industry networks in both the public and private sectors and brings a creative, long-term strategic perspective to all our work.
Natalie regularly speaks at conferences, delivers webinars, is a panel moderator and writes about delivering citizen-centric neighbourhoods.
She grew up in Tāmaki Makarau and spent alternating weekends growing up visiting her tīpuna in Paihia, Te Tai Tokerau and Ngāmotu, Taranaki. She also spent formative time living in Costa Rica, Uganda, and Cheng du. Natalie currently lives in Tāmaki Makarau with her husband and two young daughters.
Natalie specialises in:
- Urban Research
- Urban Regeneration
- Housing Strategy
- Housing Needs Assessments
- Community + Stakeholder Engagement
Meredith Dale
Senior Urban Design + Strategist
Meredith Dale
Senior Urban Designer + Strategist Landscape Architect
Clients.
TUA Timeline.
2015
Greer was working on the Christchurch City Rebuild, designing and delivering the central city recovery programme.
Natalie was completing her PhD in Urban Design.
Greer went on a global tour and was inspired by the progress being made internationally in the Urban Strategy space.
2016
Natalie graduated from her PhD and was ready to rethink how we delivered our neighbourhoods and how we understood housing demands. She began trading asThe Urban Advisory.
First major research contract awarded with BRANZ.
2017
Natalie and Greer met, when Greer moved North to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Shared sense of wanting to create a solution.
Designed an assessment framework for measuring the benefits of the Christchurch Central City investment programme for Regenerate Christchurch.
2018
Greer and Natalie joined forces to create the vision for TUA as it is today.
Developed a roadmap for integrated neighbourhood delivery.
Implemented an Urban Amenities Assessment Framework for a major Greenfields development project.
Embarked on a European Study Tour.
2019
Completed major research projects on deliverability of medium density neighbourhoods.
Lead an international study tour to the UK and US for NZGovernment Officials, during the establishment phase of Kāinga Ora.
First major contract awarded for supporting the design and establishment of a Regeneration Programme.
2020
Provided guidance on the development of a governance framework to support Government, Council and Iwi working together.
First major contract for developing an innovative housing pilot.
2021
Māori housing strategy co-delivered with Iwi.
First First year TUA was engaged to deliver a spatial plan.
Delivered the first housing needs assessment for Council.
Supported clients through COVID recovery and secured first major funding for Māori housing.
2022
Built TUA’s Urban Design capacity, bringing in a local Urban Design firm.
Grew the in-house team to 14 staff.
Secured 2 million and supported the design and establishment of a Kāinga Programme.
Secured55 million to support affordable housing delivery in Te Tai Tokerau.
2023
Lead our first precinct delivery strategy, for a significant inner city neighbourhood.
Secured 100 million of infrastructure funding to support delivery and establishment of the urban renewal programme for a City Council.
First private plan change, for the redevelopment of a racecourse into an integrated residential and light industrial neighbourhood.
Designed and implemented a sustainable development framework for a major community housing provider.
2024
Launched The NZ Housing Survey, with a view to creating a platform to change how housing demand is assessed in NZ.
Greer’s stats on what they secured for Ngāti Rēhia & Te Pouahi
Kainga delivery framework - ask Greer
Hutt City growth plan
2025
Began the first agent-based strategic spatial model (ABM).
Social infastructure delivery - ask Greer
2026 + beyond
Growth & direction plans - TUA tech, TUA build etc