Auckland's CBD Into the Future

Projects

A vibrant and dynamic CBD will be delivered through a wide range of projects. Those listed here are the projects that Auckland City is planning or has underway right now.

Alcohol bans

The bans make the city a safer, healthier and more enjoyable place. The bans give the police the authority to ask people to stop drinking alcohol in public places, remove their alcohol or, in extreme cases, arrest them.

Art Gallery development

The Auckland Art Gallery is to undergo a multi-million dollar redevelopment which will increase its size and create better linkages with Albert Park and Khartoum Place, make the building more open to its urban setting and undertake necessary earthquake-proofing and protection of a classic heritage building.

Britomart precinct

Five hectares in downtown Auckland will be turned into a vibrant precinct of shops, cafes, apartments, businesses and new public open spaces. The Bluewater Consortium's $350 million plan includes the restoration of 17 historic buildings, six new buildings and a major new public open space.

Pedestrian orientation signage network - CBD

Auckland City is improving the pedestrian network throughout the CBD. A pedestrian focused signage system has been developed to provide a sense of familiarity and orientation for both locals and visitors.

Quarter Planning
Auckland's CBD has developed as a cluster of distinct areas, each with its own characteristics and uses. Auckland's CBD Into the future refers to them as quarters. These include Aotea Quarter plan, Victoria Quarter plan, Outside the square.

Aotea Quarter plan
The Aotea Quarter is at the heart of the CBD. A plan has been developed to guide its revitalisation as the exciting civic core and arts, culture and entertainment hub.

Victoria Quarter plan
Once the industrial hub of the CBD, the Victoria Quarter between Hobson Street ridge and Victoria Park has attracted creative and technical businesses. It is also becoming popular as a residential area. A plan has been developed to guide its future as a lively community offering diverse living and working opportunities.

Retail action plan Auckland City is developing a retail action plan to restore the CBD as a premier shopping destination. The action plan will cater for the needs of the community while also recognising the need for a commercial rate of return.

Retail strategy

Auckland City is developing a retail strategy to restore the CBD as a premier shopping destination. The strategy will cater for the needs of the community while also recognising the need for a commercial rate of return.

Street upgrades

Auckland City has embarked on a journey to transform and revitalise its CBD as an internationally successful city centre - one that offers world-class experiences and lifestyles but is distinctly Auckland.

The council has committed to an ambitious $157 million 10-year programme to transform our streets and open spaces to those of a world-class city.

Transport

The central area access strategy is the plan that sets out how Auckland City will improve access to and within the CBD whether by car, passenger transport, walking or cycling and whether for private or business travel.

Central Connector
The Central Connector is a busway connecting Britomart with Newmarket via key passenger locations, including the Auckland University and Auckland Hospital. It is being planned as a series of inter-connected on-street bus lanes that will deliver a fast, frequent and reliable bus service for an estimated 65,000 passengers each day.

CBD bus priority measures
There are a number of initiatives underway to give buses priority over other traffic on main roads into and within the CBD. The aim is to implement affordable and practical bus priority measures that will make travel by bus more attractive and more reliable.

Parking guidance signage
New overhead electronic signs have been installed on six key arterial routes in the CBD. Using real time information, the guidance signs advise motorists of available spaces in nearby parking buildings. The parking guidance signs link with the retail strategy the council is developing to enhance and support the development of the CBD as a shopping destination.

Urban design

Draft CBD public open space plan - The draft CBD public open space plan is being developed. It sets out how Auckland City will provide and manage open space in the CBD. It aims to create an open space network that reflects the city's diversity and one that can be enjoyed by present and future generations.

CBD urban design framework - The draft CBD urban design framework sets out the council's vision and principles for high quality urban design in the CBD. The framework will provide the basis for further policy development and a robust foundation for Auckland City District Plan (Central Area) changes.

See Urban design in the CBD to find out more about urban design and the consultation process for these documents.

Vector Arena

A world-class, multi-functional indoor arena that seats up to 12,000 people has been built at Quay Park in downtown Auckland. Auckland can now host more, and more varied, entertainment and sports events than it has ever seen.