Mainstreet and business improvement district programmes
What is the mainstreet programme?
| What is a business improvement district programme? |
Existing programmes
| History
| Mainstreets policy
| Business improvement district policy
| Maps
| Rates
| Funding options
| Features
History
Originating in the USA, the mainstreet programme was developed when it was realised that the decline of traditional commercial centres and neighbourhood shopping centres was a result of the growth of and competition from new developments. Since then, the programme has proven an ongoing success in commercial centre revitalisation and employment creation.
The programme has been widely successful in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. It has been applied to any business area where renewal or expansion is the long-term objective.
The mainstreet programme was introduced to New Zealand from New South Wales in 1990 with the first mainstreet being established in Wanganui. In 1991, Auckland city established its first mainstreet in Otahuhu.
Thinking on the concepts embodied within the mainstreet programme has evolved over time with the creation of business development communities to help address issues unique to business districts. More recently, the concept has moved towards the establishment of business improvement districts (BID), a programme which has been developed specifically for business districts and commercial centres.
Today there are 11 mainstreet programmes and six BIDs within Auckland city.
Updated October 2009
