Building a Resilient Future: The Future Urban Industry Project Comes to Wiri

Wiri is at the forefront of a groundbreaking $9 million research initiative designed to redefine the future of industrial zones in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Led by a transdisciplinary team from the University of Auckland and supported by the MBIE Endeavour Fund, the Future Urban Industry (FUI) project is using Wiri as a case study to explore how our industrial zones can thrive in an increasingly uncertain world.

Why Wiri?

Industrial zones like Wiri are the backbone of our economy, but they face mounting pressures from climate change – such as the devastating flooding seen during Cyclone Gabrielle, as well as biodiversity loss and aging infrastructure. Current urban models often struggle to cope with these events, which can threaten business continuity and regional stability.

The FUI project explores the research question: How can future Urban Industrial Zones be designed to integrate resource-efficient economic principles, ecologically sustainable technologies, and inclusive practices to drive resilience?

What is Happening?

Over the next five years, researchers in ecology, architecture, economics, and social science will work alongside Auckland Council and local stakeholders to develop a holistic model for industrial success. The project focuses on three interconnected systems:

The Built Environment: Rethinking industrial buildings and infrastructure to be more adaptive and resource-efficient.
Ecological Systems: Identifying ways to restore biodiversity and use nature-based solutions to manage environmental risks like flooding.
Economic & Social Systems: Supporting local business growth and ensuring that industrial zones are inclusive and beneficial for the surrounding community.

To do this, the team is building cutting-edge tools, including an Urban Industrial Zone Digital Twin and an Ecological-Economics Simulation Model, to test how different strategies will perform against future climate and economic shocks.

How You Can Help

Collaboration is key. The goal is to co-develop solutions that actually work for the people on the ground: the business owners, property investors, and workers in Wiri.

In the coming months, there will be opportunities for local businesses to voluntarily share insights to help the research team understand the challenges business face, from infrastructure needs to climate risks.

Make sure you’re subscribed to our weekly emails for additional information about the FUI project. If your business is interested in participating in this research, please contact fu*@*********ac.nz. If you would like to learn more, visit their website www.futureurbanindustry.ac.nz

Let’s Grow Wiri Together

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