I am a doctoral student in my second year in the School of Environment at the University of Auckland. My research aims to reveal the prevailing diversity of attitudes towards urban intensification in Auckland. I have developed an interest in attitudes to different types of urban development through previously studying the symbolic nature of urban spaces and how this can affect community group action. More recently I conducted my masters thesis on the symbolic use of community, nature and relics of the past in selling a new medium-density housing development.