Auckland CBD public activity strategy

Introduction | Aims of the strategy | Goals and strategies

Introduction

This strategy, together with the significant events identified as part of the Auckland City events strategy, contributes to the vision of Auckland's CBD Into the future strategy:

In the next 10 years Auckland's CBD will grow and consolidate its international reputation as one of the world's most vibrant and dynamic business and cultural centres.

Aims of the strategy

This strategy will contribute to recognition of Auckland's CBD as:

a place that feels like the heart and expresses the soul of Auckland
the most popular destination for Aucklanders and visitors in the region
one of the world's premier business locations.

Events and activities contribute to the CBD being a premier business location because:

events generate economic benefit
the prestigious central location together with high profile events reinforce and build the image of the CBD, including attracting positive media attention
events of interest to workers contribute to the CBD being an attractive place to work
events and happenings attract people (tourists, shoppers, business and recreation visitors) to visit the CBD.

Events and activity also contribute to the CBD being a cultural destination by providing:

opportunities for cultural expression and increased awareness of the city's diverse cultures
a lively and vibrant atmosphere reflective of a cultural destination
multiple happenings and places of interest to enhance people's experience of the CBD
a calendar of activities that builds the image and reputation of the CBD as a cultural destination, complementing the activities organised by cultural institutions such as the Auckland Art Gallery, The Edge�, Central City Library and the indoor arena
opportunities for cultures to interact in a positive atmosphere.

Goals and strategies

The Auckland CBD public activity strategy has two goals:

goal one is about enlivening the streets of the CBD
goal two focuses on developing the infrastructure to support street-level activities in the CBD.

This strategy complements the Auckland City events strategy. The city's events will be focused around the key themes: maritime, cultural and ethnic diversity, artistic and creative, and active outdoor and sporting.

Goal one: Support street-level activity in the CBD that engages the public and adds life and buzz to the city.

Strategy

1. Enliven public spaces in the CBD.

Actions

Buskfest 2005 - Bike boy (photo by Philip Crouch).

'Living Room 2005' - '"Hang/n Out" washing in Vulcan Lane (photo by Pitsch Leiser).

Work with others to explore unique opportunities to transform the look and feel of the CBD, and people's experience of it as they live, work, visit and play within it.
- The creative sector, including people working in events, performance and design, have lots of energy and creative ideas that, in combination with the right resources, could significantly enhance people's experience of the CBD.
Develop and expand a sustainable programme of street-level activity in public spaces that enriches people's everyday experiences of the CBD.
- In 2005 (January to March) an exciting programme called 'Living Room' was successfully piloted. Temporary installations such as "poetry on the pavement" and "Hang/n Out" washing in Upper Vulcan Lane generated significant positive comment and interest.
Liaise with CBD businesses and other stakeholders to explore joint approaches to enhancing city life and buzz.
- For example, the council could explore with cafe owners the means of developing a critical mass of musical activity in particular areas, to animate spaces while also enhancing businesses. Other major occupants of the CBD such as the universities could further enhance city life and buzz through their activity programmes.
Develop a busking/street performance policy including 'active' sites.
- Busking would be actively encouraged on approved sites, without necessarily excluding other sites.

Strategy

2. Celebrate and enhance the unique character areas of the CBD.

Actions

Tell the stories of Auckland.
Develop a network of heritage walks.
Develop a network of public art walks.
Investigate the development of other special-interest walks such as an Asia trail and architecture walk.

Special attention should be given to people with disabilities such as visual impairment, and to less able walkers such as young children, elderly people, and those with prams and in wheelchairs.

Goal two: Develop the infrastructure to support events and activities in the CBD.

Strategy

1. Create people-friendly areas in the CBD streets and open spaces as an integral part of planning, design and development.

Actions

Undertake an open space assessment in the CBD to identify the potential for making spaces more accessible, activity friendly and event-friendly.
- This would include investigating the potential of places like St Patrick's Square for public activities and events. This work would link with the CBD open space plan and would include consideration of sites to actively encourage buskers, places where events are an important activity, places where people might casually or spontaneously gather or meet, places where children might play, and safe, interesting and attractive walking routes. It would also need to consider how these various activities complement and work in with surrounding uses, such as cafes and other businesses. The assessment would then feed into CBD quarter plans, urban design work and district plan reviews.

Strategy

2. Develop event-friendly spaces in the CBD.

Actions

Support the development of the waterfront and Viaduct Harbour as an event-friendly space.
- This area should particularly be able to support maritime and water-based events.
Develop the Aotea Quarter as an event-friendly space for both indoor and outdoor events.
- The Aotea Quarter should particularly be able to support a street-level animation programme and events with a cultural diversity and/or artistic and creative theme such as the Auckland Festival. It is also an important area for civic, celebratory and democratic activities such as graduation ceremonies and protest rallies.
Encourage Bluewater to develop the Britomart precinct so it complements the plans for the Aotea Quarter in terms of events and public activity.

See also the Auckland City events strategy.