This is a revised Development Strategy

This is an update of the first Auckland Plan Development Strategy, which was released in 2012.

The initial Development Strategy set the direction for a quality compact approach to growth.  There have been a few important changes since 2012 which are reflected in this updated Development Strategy.

One of the most important changes has been the release of the Auckland Unitary Plan in 2017, which sets out the planning rules for Auckland and creates adequate capacity for jobs and homes over the next 30 years.

Another important change is around Aucklanders’ expectations of housing, transport and public spaces. We also live in a time of rapid technological advancement, which will have many impacts on Auckland’s future growth.

Why we need a Development Strategy

Auckland is anticipated to grow significantly over the next 30 years. To make sure that we build on its strengths and hold on to the things that are dear to us during this growth, we need to plan for how and where Auckland will grow.

Around 1.66 million people currently live in Auckland.

Over the next 30 years this number could grow by another 720,000 people to reach 2.4 million. This means Auckland will need many more dwellings – possibly another 313,000, and room for extra jobs – possibly another 263,000.

Growth on this scale is significant, and requires us to work together and ensure we have a clear understanding of where and when investment in planning and infrastructure will be made – this is what the Development Strategy provides.

The National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity 2016 requires councils experiencing high growth to prepare a Future Development Strategy. This must demonstrate sufficient, feasible development capacity in the medium and long term.  This Development Strategy serves as Auckland’s Future Development Strategy.

Auckland’s context

From the arrival of the first Māori settlers to its recent evolution into a modern international city with a substantial rural sector, Auckland’s story has been one of constant growth and change.

While initial settlement by both Māori and European tended to cluster around the waterfront, development soon spread further afield in response to population growth.

By the early 1900s Auckland had become New Zealand’s largest city and suburban development had extended to the central isthmus and parts of the North Shore.

However, it wasn’t until the arrival of the motor car, particularly after World War Two, that Auckland’s urban footprint really started to expand.

The resulting pattern of lower density suburbs, enabled by the motorway system and widespread car ownership, is still the dominant feature of Auckland’s urban form to this day.

The urban area now covers approximately 20 per cent of Auckland’s land mass. It is home to over 90 per cent of its residents, many of whom live along a narrow axis stretching from Ōrewa in the north to Drury in the south.

The urban area is surrounded by extensive rural areas, with numerous towns and villages, and an outstanding natural environment that includes:

• beaches
• harbours
• maunga
• the surrounding ranges.

Geography continues to shape and constrain Auckland’s development.

Physical pinch points, particularly where the isthmus is at its narrowest, complicates development and the transport network.

It also complicates the flow of goods and services, including to and from the port and airport, Auckland’s two international gateways.

Supporting residential and business growth, while managing their impacts on the natural environment, will be one of the great challenges we face over the next 30 years.

Auckland will look very different in 30 years 

Auckland’s urban footprint will include:

• significant redevelopment and intensification in areas that are already developed
• newly established communities in the future urban areas.

There will also be a small amount of additional growth in rural areas outside of the urban footprint.

A multi-nodal model

Over the next 30 years, Auckland will move towards a multi-nodal model within the urban footprint.

The city centre will continue to be the focus of Auckland’s business, tourism, educational, cultural and civic activities. It will continue to be an important residential centre as well.

But it won’t be the only main centre in Auckland.

Albany, Westgate and Manukau, including their catchments, are nodes which are critical to growth across the region.

Over time, they will offer a broad range of:

• business and employment activity
• civic services
• residential options.

The nodes will:

• accommodate substantial growth in the north, north-west and south
• improve employment choice
• be interconnected by a range of efficient transport links.

In addition, the satellite towns of Warkworth and Pukekohe act as rural nodes.

They:

• service their surrounding rural communities
• are connected to urban Auckland through state highways and, in the case of Pukekohe, by rail
• will support significant business and residential growth.