This paper explores and investigates the mechanisms behind the creation of privately owned spaces(POPS), specifically examining the regulations and review policies governing POPS in New York City and Auckland, New Zealand. Although the design review process and regulations have gone through reiterations and improvements, they are still largely being studied to improve the quality of POP spaces. The paper compares United States' incentive zoning review processes, the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) and the certification process, with Auckland's resource consent process, to highlight and specify main disparities and parallels between these processes. The paper analyzes important elements of successful review and regulation processes, including community engagement, the balance between discretionary vs administrative process, and the appropriate and ideal level of detail. Finally, concrete recommendations aimed at refining Auckland’s Resource Consent framework through analyzing New York Cities’ approach to POPs will be provided.