In the 30 years between now and 2050, Wellington expects to welcome 80,000 new residents. The Draft Spatial Plan was produced as a guide to a compact, resilient, vibrant, prosperous, inclusive, connected, and greener Wellington that accommodates this projected population growth. The Draft Spatial Plan informed the District Plan, which acts as a blueprint for the functioning and decision making of Wellington City Council (WCC).
In late 2020, the WCC sought feedback on the Draft Spatial Plan. 2,897 citizens submitted to the engagement. Wellington City Council solicited general feedback on the Plan, posed questions about a range of specific issues, such as intensification, character retention, and suburban rapid transit centres, and prompted submitters to discuss development options in clearly defined areas.