Auckland without a leash

The name of the Auckland Council’s spatial plan, Auckland Unleashed, could be a real two-edged sword.

I can appreciate the idea that the Council wants the city to take off but there is also the risk you could take ‘unleashed’ to mean something wild and uncontrolled.

And it will be getting controls right that will determine whether Auckland can grow in the right way and fulfil its potential.

The spatial plan talks about redefining the central business district. It is considering having the CBD stretch out towards Parnell and Newmarket in the East, and College Hill and Ponsonby and the new developing Wynyard waterfront area towards the West.

This plan would hugely extend the current harbour-edge footprint of lower Queen Street and the area out to Vector Stadium in the east and across to Beaumont Street in the west.

On the surface this makes complete sense. These ‘new’ areas are already developing well, have character, and are becoming vibrant areas.

Interestingly they are a stark contrast to Queen Street itself which is letting the city down badly, with an abundance of fast-food joints and bargain $2 shop type stores. Frankly it’s an embarrassment as Auckland’s premier street.

This brings me back to my point about the city ‘unleashed’ and getting controls in design and development right.

Auckland presently has a major crisis/opportunity. We have a real shortage of residential space in central areas, and an oversupply still of vacant office space. This clearly tells us the mix is not right.

This has to be sorted by the Council who can direct city planning in the same way they have favoured development of the Britomart precinct, which is emerging as a positive reflection of it’s “liveable city” aims.

Auckland can learn from Melbourne where the concept of mixed use developments has created a beautiful environment for its citizens. This is where we should head; where work spaces, residential, and retail are all mingling in the same buildings and neighbourhoods. This creates vibrant communities and businesses.

This ‘unleashed’ approach needs to happen to Queen Street retail too, to create a distinctive quality area at the heart of the CBD. Goodness knows what our international Rugby World Cup visitors will make of it as it looks today.

We do have a great opportunity to build character and quality for the centre of Auckland, but it will take some well thought out planning, that is flexible, accessible and inspiring, with the right balance of control.