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.

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.

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: