More news for this week

Getting on with enhancing our CBD

From City Scene, published on 7 October, 2007

Queen Street upgrade - This major project is creating an attractive environment for visitors to the CBD, including the growing number of people arriving in Auckland on cruise ships.

Auckland City Council's 10-year plan for our CBD has already brought improvements to our city's central business district that are being enjoyed by the people who live, visit, work or do business there.

Meeting our city's growing needs

Our city's CBD is one of Auckland's most dynamic and evolving areas - with an increase of more than 9000 residents between 2001 and 2006 bringing greater diversity to the city's heart. As the CBD population evolves, so does the demand for retail, transport, community facilities and recreational space. Auckland City Council's 10-year plan for the CBD is structured to meet these demands and assist our city's growth and development. Auckland's CBD is the largest employment centre in New Zealand, and 38 per cent of the region's creative sector employees work there. Work to establish creative precincts with high quality urban design is already underway to support this sector's needs. The higher education sector, with many foreign fee paying students, has also become increasingly concentrated in the CBD - and planning is underway for a "learning quarter".

Auckland's CBD is also an attractive destination for visiting cruise ships. In the 2005/2006 season, 48 ships visited with each contributing an estimated $1 million to the regional economy. With 73 ships expected here this season, our city needs sufficient facilities to support cruise ship tourists and operators to enhance Auckland's reputation as a world-class destination.

Great library facilities

Visitors to the CBD, Rachel, Sophie, Rita and Vita, (middle) enjoy the central library's convenient location, recently upgraded facilities and relaxed atmosphere. "The library is close to where we are staying and the inside is very nice," they say. "We can use the internet and have a coffee at the cafe too."

International attraction

Fans gather outside the Vector Arena (bottom) before a concert. The arena has attracted an impressive range of international artists since opening earlier this year.