Alistair Ray

Alistair joined Jasmax in 2008 in order to head up a new Urban Design and Masterplanning team. With over 20 years' experience, Alistair has gained a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most accomplished urban designers, working across the country for a range of clients, both within the private and public sectors. He has sat on a number of working groups advising Auckland Council on strategic urban planning and design issues, including the Auckland Plan, the Unitary Plan and the Auckland Design Manual.

Alistair has a particular passion and interest in the residential sector, working on a number of high profile large scale residential developments, as well as providing advice to Auckland Council on matters relating to density and intensification.

He is an active member of the Urban Design Forum and a part time senior lecturer for Auckland University’s Masters in Urban Design course.

Prior to relocating to New Zealand, Alistair led the award winning Newcastle City Council Urban Design team involved in strategic planning, liaising with Councillors and government agencies, and directing production of planning guidance and project advice.

A planner by background, he worked for two years' within the City Planning team at Auckland City Council where he learned the particular intricacies of the New Zealand planning system.

As a result, Alistair brings specialist knowledge around the complex relationship between planning and urban design, and the impact that this has on the design process, particularly in respect to larger scale mixed use and residential developments.

He specialises in producing design statements and helping projects through the urban design process, which regularly includes presenting at urban design panels. Alistair is passionate about creating better urban places in New Zealand, believing that it is possible to create an amazing and inspiring built environment to complement our great natural environment. He believes that the key to making this happen is to encourage a broader and more informed debate about the benefits that a high quality built environment can bring for us all.