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Population growth and demographic change will put pressure on existing services and facilities. Our ageing population will increase and require services and social infrastructure that enable older people to fully participate, for example.
It is essential that we proactively plan for, and develop, social and cultural infrastructure in tandem with physical infrastructure, if we are to create communities and neighbourhoods that are liveable and successful for everyone.
Varied and accessible services and facilities which support the needs of communities are essential in helping people to participate in society and create a sense of belonging.
These services may include:
Conceptual graphic of Auckland facilities
Local and Auckland-wide facilities such as museums and art galleries, theatres, libraries, community centres, sports fields and playgrounds, and public places all play their part in helping people learn, socialise and connect with each other. They provide venues for recreation, arts, sports, and cultural events and community-led activities.
Not only do these social and cultural infrastructure and services provide opportunities for social interaction, many also encourage physical activity with its associated health and wellbeing benefits. Others stimulate the mind and encourage learning.
Local people and groups must be involved in their planning and development to ensure that services and facilities are responsive to local needs.
There are many barriers that prevent people from accessing services and facilities, such as affordability or social and cultural barriers. Providing affordable or free access to facilities, like council-operated pools, encourages children and young people to be active and healthy.
Homeless people experience disadvantage and value safe public places, like libraries, as a way to achieve important connections in the community.
Facilities should be accessible to all Aucklanders. Barriers to physical access (for example, from transport difficulties, disability or frailty) must be addressed through universal design. Find out more on the Auckland Universal Design website.
Community facilities, and the services they provide, also need to be welcoming, culturally safe, and relevant to, and reflective of, the communities they serve.
The under-provision of services needs to be addressed, alongside investment in new development areas and in existing areas that have significant population growth. We also need to make sure people have easy access to a range of social infrastructure across Auckland. Good public transport connections and options to walk and cycle help improve access to social and cultural infrastructure.
Development proposals that provide high-quality social infrastructure will be supported in areas of identified need, particularly in places easily accessible by public transport, cycling and walking.
It is essential that we plan and design services and infrastructure in such a way that they can adapt to different usage and demand over time.
We, therefore, need to better utilise existing facilities and develop new flexible and multi-purpose facilities.
Find out more by reading the Community Facilities Network and Action Plan.
Efforts to maximise the investment in social services and infrastructure can focus on: