31 August 2010

Auckland, New Zealand is the 115th densest city in the world and growing.  With a population of close to 1.4 million today (up from 1 million in 1997), the “big little city” is expected to grow to 2 million by 2030.

There is incredible pressure on the current infrastructure of urban Auckland due a lack for foresight for such rapid growth from local and central government as well as the private sector.  As Auckland’s central business district continues to be the dynamic financial and economic centre of New Zealand, the pressure on essential services like transport and housing grows.

Auckland’s urban and outlying districts are currently comprised of eight regional and territorial authorities, each with their own governance and mayors.  Following local body elections on 1 November 2010 these will be merged into one council, colloquially referred to as the “Super City” council.

The new mayor of Auckland city will face the challenging task of working through not only the myriad of difficulties posed by a completely new local government system, but will also be charged with helping Auckland grow and develop at a sustainable level.

Housing shortages in the Auckland urban area continue to be an on-going problem.   Initially developers were encouraged to intensifying construction in the existing area; however that hasn’t worked at all well.  With a severe lack of existing sites with the city limits, and a reluctance to build outside the urban area (due in part to difficulties posed through poor infrastructure and transport); developers are likely to push the new mayor to extend the Metropolitan Urban Limits.

If this can be achieved; good quality, high density housing should spring up around major rail and road points – providing these have been developed to cope with the additional pressure.

The Rugby World Cup comes to New Zealand in 2011 and Auckland will be the hub of the action hosting pool games, both semi-finals and the final.  Many of the 60,000 plus visitors will base themselves in our largest city and therefore truly test the transport and infrastructure.

If Auckland can cope with this massive influx of visitors in little over a year’s time, it is a positive sign for coping with the fast growing city’s urban sprawl far in the future.

Ref: Sunday Star Times, 29.08.2010