In high school, Yasmin loved exploring how people connected with the world around them and their lives intertwined with both the natural landscape and the built environment. It made her realise she wanted to be part of the solution.

Yasmin chose urban planning because she promised herself a career that gives back to the community, makes a difference and spends each day surrounded by inspiring people. Ensuring fair equity for all members of the community in the discussion on climate change and its effects. The importance and power of the youth over these issues lit the spark for her. 

"The topic for my project looks at why it’s so important to make sure communities that are already struggling—like those with fewer resources—aren’t left behind as Tāmaki Makaurau and Aotearoa adapt to climate change. A key theme of my topic is climate justice. For example, those who have contributed the least to climate change face its most severe consequences. Climate justice asks: 'How can we make sure our solutions are fair and help those who need it most?'"

"Seeing so many young people in Aotearoa New Zealand standing up and speaking out for their futures in the face of climate change. I’ve always believed deeply in the power of youth voices and the importance of having our visions and aspirations genuinely heard. While this project doesn’t focus on young people directly, our passion and determination lit the spark that led me here."

"Climate justice is a relatively new concept that has only recently gained traction in academic literature and become a key part of conversations around climate change adaptation. It’s the first time I’ve come across a study that applies climate justice as a lens to critically examine how local government in Aotearoa New Zealand approaches climate adaptation in their local board plans."

"At its core, I simply wanted to add to the conversation and contribute something meaningful—and I truly believe I’ve achieved that. Quietly, I had always hoped this research might be worthy of publication. I knew it mattered. The insights that emerged from this project are significant, and I’m now in the process of publishing it alongside my supervisor.

I still hold onto the hope that one day, local boards across Aotearoa New Zealand will take on board these learnings and turn them into action. That would be where the most positive impact would happen."

"One of the most eye-opening insights was that climate justice is missing from the local board’s climate plan in the case study. This is concerning, as the impacts of climate change could seriously weaken community resilience in the years ahead. But there’s still hope—by drawing on local knowledge, lived experience, and community values, a community will recover and be more resilient in the face of climate change."

Find out more about the programme structure, entry requirements, fees, and key dates for the Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours).