Auckland's first spatial plan: Ambitious aspirations or furthering the status quo?. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Imran, Muhammad; Pearce, Jane
• Is Part Of: Cities. Volume 45(2015)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Auckland governance -- Auckland Plan -- Transport planning -- Transformative shift; City planning -- Periodicals; Urban policy -- Periodicals; 711.4
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2015.02.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-2751

Abstract

Abstract: Auckland's first spatial plan (locally known as the Auckland Plan) is the principal document providing strategic direction for the city's development over the next 30 years. The Auckland Plan aspires to radically transform transport in Auckland, from a car-dominant system into an integrated public transport network, by proposing a series of expensive infrastructure projects, including rail tunnels under the CBD, rail extension to the airport, and an additional harbour crossing. This paper critically assesses the transport strategies proposed by the Plan from a broad spectrum of sustainability perspectives. In drawing on the events leading to the 2009 Auckland local government reform, the Plan making process and the content of the Plan, this paper shows that the Plan's transport strategy suffers a range of drawbacks, including limited political support, a rushed consultation process and lack of a robust framework for funding public transport projects. These problems raise questions about the Plan's capacity to drive a 'transformational shift' in Auckland's transport landscape and ultimately contribute to the vision of making Auckland the world's most liveable city. This paper concludes by recommending Auckland Council adopts a more proactive approach to transport planning focusing on better civic engagement, more strategic mechanisms to incentivize public transport and to overcome institutional inertia.