A city centre to get excited about and be proud of
This is a 20-year vision to bring new colour and life to the city centre.
We envisage a city centre that is:
- easy and pleasant to walk around
- great for shopping and going out
- easy to do business in
- has housing for all ages
- is served by efficient public transport.
The full plan is available to the right of this page and you can also read the executive summary (2.2mb PDF) that has information about the plan.
Public consultation ended 31 October 2011. You can read the report on the feedback we received (301kb PDF). Submitters wishing to be heard will be contacted shortly if they have not already been contacted.
It is expected that the final plan will be completed by mid 2012.
Quay Street Waterfront Boulevard
Quay and Fanshawe streets are busy and wide and create a barrier for anyone walking between the city and the waterfront. Our vision is to transform them into waterfront boulevards.
View the proposed redevelopment.
Hobson Street
A two-way vehicle lane, cycle lanes, and wider pavements will improve the pedestrian experience on both Hobson and Nelson streets and enhance their great harbour views.
Street improvements will also encourage higher-quality development along their routes.
View the proposed redevelopment.
Fanshawe Street Boulevard
A key transport corridor, this wide and busy street will eventually be turned into a boulevard to improve the walk from the city centre to the waterfront.
View the proposed redevelopment.
Victoria Park "Green Carpet"
Auckland's parks and open spaces are scattered throughout the city and the walk between them is not great.
A network of tree lined streets criss-crossing the city will change this, starting with a Victoria Street "green carpet" to link Victoria and Albert parks.
View the proposed redevelopment.
Lower Hobson Street Plaza
The flyover and the Downtown Car Park currently blight this area.
Long-term, the removal of the off-ramp and the redevelopment or rebuilding of the car park will transform the area.
Grafton Gully Over-bridge
The connection between the city centre and the Domain is severed by Grafton Gully and its motorways.
We propose capping the motorway to create an exciting public space and a more fitting entrance to this fantastic park.
Queen Street
It’s our premier street and the engine room of Auckland’s economy.
Recent improvements have led to 25 per cent more people using the street, but we need a greater pedestrian focus.
This will begin with the closure of some parts of the street for events, shared space across some sections and eventually a light rail or a tram.
QE2 Square
At the point where the city meets the waterfront, QE2 Square is a natural focal point and the first impression of Auckland for many visitors.
Currently, it is little more than a thoroughfare.
Upper Queen Street Bridge
Auckland’s efficient motorway junction has been built at the expense of walking connections between the city centre and historic urban villages like Ponsonby, Parnell and Grafton.
The challenge is to make the pedestrian journey more pleasant, and also to capitalise on the motorway network infrastructure and vantage points.
Symonds Street and Upper Queen Street bridges have been prioritised for beautification because they link to the city.