Vision for connected city centre
What we aim to achieve
Our vision is for a city centre that is well-connected to all of Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland, to the rest of the country and the rest of the world for the movement of people and goods.
We aim to enable safe, healthy and sustainable travel options to improve people’s access and choice of transport modes into and around the city centre.
Why we want to do this
The city centre is the economic and cultural heart of Auckland and supports the city's other centres and neighbourhoods.
A 24-hour connected city centre is critical to Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland’s future prosperity and wellbeing. It helps to:
- attract and retain talent
- supports specialised employment
- allows the region to be an internationally competitive economy that brings benefits to all Aucklanders.
More people choosing to work, study and live in the city centre
The city centre is attracting more people. The number of people living, visiting, studying, and doing business in the city centre continues to exceed projections.
Residents in the city centre
The number of residents has grown over the last 10 years from 22,000 in 2009 to around 35,000.
Employment in the city centre
There are currently 120,000 jobs in the city centre and a further 65,000 in the city fringe. If it simply holds its share of regional employment, the centre will add 20,000 new jobs over the next 20 years.
City centre employment growth has continued to surge and has been separate from increases in inbound car traffic since 2001.
Commuters from outside the city centre
In March 2018, more people commuted to the city centre by public transport than by private vehicle for the first time since the early 1970s. This mode shift has followed Auckland’s investments in high quality public transport to the city centre.
Prioritising safe and easy access to the city centre
Auckland's city centre growth is based on more people being able to access the city centre and make journeys within it.
Quality public transport, walking, cycling and micro-mobility options need to increase, while private motor vehicle trips need to decrease. This will improve access to employment, educational, recreational and other opportunities that the city centre offers.
How we can do this
- Support our planned and future investment in public transport, walking, and cycling.
- Address issues around air quality, road safety, and freight traffic.
- Deliver healthier, more accessible streets.
- Introduce Access for Everyone and supporting projects.
- Better parking and kerbside management.
- Improving movement of light goods and heavy freight.
- A target of at least 30 per cent fewer cars entering the city centre during the morning peak period by 2028.
- A major increase in people using public transport instead of driving - amplifying the mode shift trend already underway.
Access for Everyone
Access for Everyone encourages motorists to park and access the city centre from its edge and not pass through it.
This will mean:
- increased priority to walking, cycling and public transport
- fewer private vehicle trips into and within the city centre
- greater priority given to local goods movement, emergency services and disabled access
- reduced impact of heavy freight vehicles on the city centre.
See A4E for more information.
Related information
More information about connected city centre
