ARTICLE Increasing Uptake of Low Impact Urban Design and Development: The Role of Sustainability Assessment Systems BOB FRAME Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand & ROBERT VALE Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand ABSTRACT ‘Market transformation’ of the significant urban development industry towards more sustainable practices is not moving at great pace. Design and assessment systems that may promote uptake of more sustainable urban design and development are reviewed briefly followed by a comparison between building and neighbourhood scales. For the latter there is a dearth of design and assessment tools for the residential built environment and of indicators to monitor progress towards sustainable development. Local authorities increasingly require an integrated approach to data collection and inclusion of infrastructure service providers in design, assessment and monitoring of urban development and associated environmental effects. By examining Local Environment Vol. 11, No. 3, 287–306, June 2006 Correspondence Address: Bob Frame, Sustainability and Society, Landcare Research, PO Box 69, Lincoln 8152, New Zealand. Email: frameb@landcareresearch.co.nz 1354-9839 Print=1469-6711 Online=06=030287-20 # 2006 Taylor & Francis DOI: 10.1080=13549830600558788