City Profile

Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand with urban population close to 1.5 million, serves as a crucial economic and cultural centre. It has a robust economy, driven by industries such as technology, tourism, and manufacturing. The city is recognized for its educational institutions and a thriving arts scene, which attract international students and professionals. Auckland's unique geographical setting between two harbours makes it a popular location for maritime activities and offers a high quality of life, often featuring highly in global liveability rankings.

Auckland demonstrates exceptional performance in Investor Attractiveness, Assets, Urban Management, and Liveability indicators.

The city has a well-developed, robust infrastructure ranging from extensive public transport networks to progressive digital connectivity that support its vibrant economic landscape. Auckland also has abundant green spaces such as Auckland Domain, with strong infrastructure and educational institutions contributing to a highly skilled and capable workforce.

Auckland will face significant challenges in the future with its rising population and climate change impact. The affordability of housing, ensuring social equity and keeping infrastructure development at pace, will all be critical issues to tackle. The city has developed the Auckland Plan 2050 to guide its development and address these issues in a comprehensive way.

Case study

On of the key focus areas for the Auckland Plan 2050 is green infrastructure and the benefits it can bring to enhance air quality, people's well being but also to tackle stormwater run-off and flooding risk. Despite having a high volume of low-rise residential developments, there is an abundance of green infrastructure spread throughout Auckland, with housing often including good-sized gardens, and large urban parks featuring across the city. Yet, there is room for continued improvement. As cities face increasing threats from climate change – including heavy rainfall and extreme heat events – they need to fully understand this natural infrastructure and how to enhance it. Using our Artificial Intelligence and land use analysis tool, Terrain, Arup's Global Sponge Cities Snapshot looks at the urban centres of ten global cities: Auckland, London, Montreal, Mumbai, Nairobi, New York, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Toronto.
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