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Auckland's CBD Into the future

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The Aotea Quarter plan

Auckland's CBD Into the future

Introduction | Vision and principles | Action plan

Vision and principles

Vision

Auckland City Council's vision for the Aotea Quarter is: "the city's civic core, cultural heart, arts and entertainment hub: a vibrant centre for people where senses are indulged, creativity expressed, activities and events enjoyed, and civic life participated in."

Principles

The principles below, together with the CBD strategy principles of safety, accessibility, sustainability, being business-friendly, quality, adaptability and integration, will guide planning for the Aotea Quarter.

2005 Aotea Quarter plan (4,000kb PDF)

2010-2015 action plan (48kb PDF)

The people

Children celebrating cultural diversity.
 

The quarter is a people centred environment:

  • The Aotea Quarter is all about people and their experiences. The key driver for decision-making is 'meeting the needs of people'.

The civic and public nature of the quarter is highly visible:

  • The symbols of democracy are cherished, civic activity is encouraged, and the cluster of civic and other public buildings is valued and protected. The design and use of Aotea Square will reflect its status as Auckland's premier civic square. The current mix of council owned cultural infrastructure (Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Central City Library, Auckland Town Hall, Civic Theatre, Aotea Centre and civic car park) will be retained and enhanced (e.g. with the addition of Q Theatre and a new arts precinct).

The activity

Art companies locate, create and perform in the quarter

  • Performance and other arts and creative groups and individuals are encouraged to locate, manage, create, rehearse, promote and present their work in the quarter. The quarter is accessible and affordable for them.

High quality New Zealand and international arts and cultural events are showcased

  • Local and international arts and cultural activities are made prominent through a variety of performing arts experiences, cultural events and activities, temporary and permanent public art displays and exhibitions at the city's galleries.

There are lots of events, activities and experiences to be had day and night

Orchestra at the town hall.
 
  • There is a lot going on during the day, evening and at night. This includes theatre, conventions, music, art and civic and public activity. The range of events and activities covers the formal to informal, planned to spontaneous, conservative to fringe, traditional to contemporary, large and small, public and private, at street level and in venues. Most of the street level activity occurs in and around Aotea Square.

There are places to go and things to do before and after shows

  • There is a mix of compatible retail activities, such as bars, restaurants, cafes and specialist stores, giving people a reason to linger in the quarter day and night.

Economic value will be built for the city through the quarter's arts, culture, entertainment and convention activity

  • The Aotea Quarter will add value to the economy at the CBD, city, regional and national levels. Businesses want to locate in cities that provide good leisure environments for their employees and local and international visitors are attracted to exciting cities. The Aotea Quarter provides this environment to attract visitors and businesses. The convention activity in the quarter also brings in local and international visitor dollars.

The place

A mix of arts and cultural venues accommodates fledgling artists to established companies

  • A mix of venue sizes and types is available to accommodate a range of creative activity and support a range of artists and arts groups, from fledgling to established, small and large, high art to fringe.

The quarter is easy to reach, easy to move through and the pedestrian environment is superb

  • There is easy access to buses and taxis, the road network functions well and there is adequate parking for events and activities. Pedestrians enjoy wandering through the quarter.

Permanent residential accommodation is restricted to the east-side of the quarter.

  • Permanent residential accommodation will be supported in the Quarter to the east side of Queen Street. Any permanent residential accommodation will be kept away from the height of activity and noise in and around the square.

Architecture with the 'wow factor' reflects the creative nature of the quarter

  • The built form needs to contribute to the vision. The vision is about creativity, vibrancy and culture. The buildings, open spaces and streetscapes will reflect these elements and be of world class.

The Aotea Quarter - projects and venues

Map of the Aotea Quarter - projects and venues.

Key
1 The Civic 6 Site of Q Theatre
2 Aotea Square 7 Lorne Street upgrade
3 Aotea Centre 8 Auckland Art Gallery
4 Civic car park 9 Auckland Central City Library
5 Auckland Town Hall    

Updated February 2010