Chapter 10 - Urban Environments effects of activities over time in an integrated manner. If zoning was abandoned and activities were allowed to locate irrespective of their effects, the character of different areas would gradually be eroded, thus threatening the sustainability of the urban environment. For this reason, zoning has been retained as a basic technique in this Resource Management Plan. Three separate zones in the urban environment have been identified, comprising areas with different characteristics and amenity levels. These are labelled residential, town centre and industrial zones after the predominant land use types that currently exist in them. Within that pattern of zoning there is flexibility for activities to locate, provided that they are compatible with that part of the urban environment through meeting the performance standards of that zone. 10.1.1 Objectives and Policies Objective 1 To enable the continued existence of activities that are established or can establish in any area by avoiding, remedying or mitigating adverse effects of other activities that are sensitive to lower standards of amenity. Policy 1.1 To recognise that some urban activities are more sensitive to effects such as noise than others. Policy 1.2 To ensure that activities which are sensitive to the effects of established activities which require lower amenity standards avoid remedy or mitigate those effects. Activities within urban areas are not homogeneous in their sensitivities to effects. The objective and policies recognise that reverse sensitivities can and should be avoided where practicable in order that the urban environment is sustainably managed. 10.1.2 Methods of Implementation Zoning The identification of activity area zones within urban areas and between other areas will avoid, remedy or mitigate effects. Rules The use of rules to avoid, remedy or mitigate the effects of activities within urban environments and at the periphery or urban areas developing reverse sensitivities. The implementation of a roading hierarchy. Controls within the Plan are considered to be the most efficient and effective method of avoiding sensitive land use activities developing reverse sensitivities. 10.2 Residential Environments Council must enable people and communities to provide for their residential needs within the Marlborough Sounds under the Act. However, this can only be done while addressing the needs of future generations, the life-supporting capacity of air, water, soil and ecosystems, and the adverse environmental 10 - 3