Auckland – Designing spaces, integrating people

28 September 2016

See how Auckland used smart urban design to build a more vibrant, liveable city that embraces its diverse people and communities.

This article has been migrated from an earlier version of the site and may display formatting inconsistencies.

Taking inspiration from design-led cities such as Melbourne and New York, Auckland used good urban design to spur creativity in its businesses, government and people while creating a more liveable and vibrant environment.

Vitality in Auckland as one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities

Auckland is one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities with the 4th most foreign-born population based on the 2015 World Migration Report from the International Organisation for Migration.

Four young people sit on a wooden bench outdoors, laughing and talking near a colorful industrial building.

Auckland is a culturally diverse city © Ludo Campbell-Reid and the Auckland Council

The City Centre Masterplan and Waterfront Plan (2012)

The City Centre Masterplan paints a bold 20-year journey of urban transformation for the city centre, while the Waterfront Plan unlocks the waterfront for Aucklanders and visitors alike.

Two printed booklets: City Centre Masterplan 2012 in front, and The Waterfront Plan behind, on a wooden surface.

Auckland City Centre Masterplan and Waterfront Plan © Ludo Campbell-Reid and the Auckland Council

Place activation

Urban acupuncture on Queen Elizabeth Square during the Auckland Anniversary Weekend, demonstration of place activation to improve place experience, enjoyment and interaction between the citizens of Auckland’s city centre and the public realm.

People relaxing in wooden deck chairs on artificial grass in a city square, with a small dog sitting on a woman's lap.

Urban acupuncture on Queen Elizabeth Square © Ludo Campbell-Reid and the Auckland Council

Design-led approach

The redeveloped Auckland Art Gallery (Toi o Tāmaki) is an example of how the city uses design as an approach to transform the city, and the gallery has received multiple national and global awards including the 2013 World Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki at dusk, featuring a glowing wooden canopy roof beside a historic stone building.

Auckland Art Gallery © Ludo Campbell-Reid and the Auckland Council

Auckland Lightpath

The Auckland Lightpath (Te Ara I Whiti) transformed a disused former motorway off-ramp into a new “hot pink” soaring cycling super-highway. In just four months following its opening in December 2015, the Lightpath became the second most popular Auckland cycle route with 100,000 trips recorded.

Night cityscape with a purple-lit curved bridge, light trails on a highway, and a tall tower in the background.

Auckland Lightpath © Ludo Campbell-Reid and the Auckland Council

One integrated public transport network

Auckland’s transformed itself from a car-based city to one that places strong emphasis on public transport through various investments in rail and buses and saw an increase in public transport patronage from 50 million trips per annum in 2005 to over 80 million trips per annum in 2015.

Modern transit station interior with a circular skylight, wavy ribbed ceiling, fare gates, and several people walking.

Auckland public transport © Ludo Campbell-Reid and the Auckland Council

Te Oro Arts and Music Centre

Community projects like the Te Oro Arts and Music Centre, Toia Otahuhu Recreation Project and Mangere Arts Centre are examples of the city’s commitment to greater multi-culturalism. This has significantly contributed to Māori wellbeing and lifted the social cohesion of the city.

Modern curved building with red geometric cladding and large glass windows, lit up at dusk, with "Te Oro" signage visible.

The Revitalised Wynyard Quarter

Auckland is recognised for improving its urban environment drastically through significant design-led initiatives. Specific examples include the redevelopment of Queens Wharf and Wynyard Quarters at the waterfront, and the refurbishment of the Auckland Art Gallery, Britomart, and Shared Spaces at the city centre.

Waterfront plaza with people relaxing on grass and pavement, city skyline and tall tower in background.

Putting children and young people first

Auckland aims to ensure all of the city’s children and young people have equitable opportunity to participate and be heard, through various measures such as youth-led development approaches, and engaging youth groups in place-making exercises.

Three smiling children outdoors, one playing an acoustic guitar, on a sunny day with blue sky behind them.

Before and After

Snapshots of Auckland’s urban acupuncture projects that have been delivered in the last 10 years have transformed many of the city’s urban spaces into more humane and liveable environments, such as Elliott Street pictured here.

Black and white photo of Elliott Street with parked cars, pedestrians, and multi-story brick buildings labeled "Before."

Busy pedestrian street with outdoor red cafe chairs near Elliott Stables sign, blurred people walking past.