Chapter 10 - Urban Environments important in providing commercial services and shopping facilities for the community. Consolidation of commercial activity within the centres can help to maximise efficiency of use of existing facilities and services and minimise the distances that people must travel to conduct business and to shop. There are small areas and individual sites of commercial activity located throughout the residential areas. Although they are not part of the town centre they complement the facilities available in the centres in providing for the day- to-day needs of residents. The town centres of both Picton and Havelock include buildings which have historic merit or contribute to the overall heritage character of the centre. Maintenance and enhancement of these heritage assets and qualities is considered to be a strength which can contribute to the vitality and tourist and retail attractiveness of the centres. Protection and enhancement of heritage buildings and features will be promoted in the centres. Refer to the Heritage chapter of the Plan for detail on this (Section 6.2). Public and private developments within the centres will be encouraged to be compatible with the heritage character of the centres and to integrate with existing and planned foreshore development. Two main sub-issues of the main urban environment issue (Section 10.1) have been identified for the commercial sector of the urban environment, or for town centres. These are: 1. In a d e q u a te p ro v isio n o f la n d w ith “co m m e rcia l” a m e n itie s in a p p ro p r ia te a re a s ca n re su lt in la ck o f o p p o rtu n ity fo r b u sin e ss d e v e lo p m e n t, lo ss o f a cce ssib ility to b u sin e ss a re a s a n d a d v e rse e ffe cts o n th e e n v iro n m e n t o f su rro u n d in g a re a s; a n d 2. T h e n e e d to m a in ta in a n d e n h a n ce th e v isu a l ch a ra cte r o f to w n ce n tre s. Commercial activity is a significant component of the urban environment. Just as the urban environment as a whole is a resource requiring sustainable management, the ‘commercial environment’ or town centre is a resource in itself which needs this care. 10.3.1 Issue Inadequate provisions of land with “ commercial” amenities in appropriate areas can result in lack of opportunity for business development, loss of accessibility to business areas and adverse effects on the environment of surrounding areas. Commercial activities such as retail outlets, offices, banks, restaurants, tourist accommodation and other services are an important contribution to the urban environment. The success and viability of an urban environment depends to a very large extent on the vibrancy and vitality of its commercial centre. It is therefore necessary to provide adequate areas for commercial activity by zoning areas which are suitable for this. The effects of commercial activity can then be managed within these areas. 10 - 17