AUCKLAND CBD

The 'Auckland CBD' (usually just referred to as 'CBD' or sometimes 'Central City') is the geographical and economic heart of Auckland City, and the Greater Auckland urban area. Bounded by several major motorways and the harbour coastline in the north, it is surrounded further out by mostly suburban areas. It is one of the most densely built-up areas of New Zealand.

Contents

Geography

Characteristics

Overview

Population

Economy

See also

References

External links

Geography

The CBD is located on the north shore of a narrow isthmus, it extends from the Auckland waterfront on the Waitemata Harbour southwards along Queen Street and a number of other parallel-running streets. The CBD is generally considered to be bounded by the main motorways that surround all non-harbour sides, with State Highway 1 forming the southern and western boundaries, and State Highway 16a / Grafton Gully forming the eastern boundary.
The size of the CBD is 433 hectares, similar to the Sydney CBD, and twice as large as the CBDs of Wellington and Christchurch.^[1] The CBD is to a substantial part located on reclaimed land of the Waitemata Harbour. For a closer discussion, see the Commercial Bay and Auckland waterfront articles.

Characteristics

Overview

The CBD of Auckland has been the leading centre of New Zealand's business and economic development for nearly two centuries. The area of todays CBD was the site of the original European settlement of Auckland, oriented along the coastline and then Queen Street, in a southward direction. From those origins, it has grown progressively, and become much more densely built-up, now being an area of high-rise buildings mainly used for commercial and retail uses.
The CBD is also notable for having the highest concentration of arts, culture and higher education institutions and venues in the country.

An apartment block typical of the new inner-city accommodation built in the CBD in the last decade.

Population

Residential high-density buildings constructed within the last decade have helped to increase the population actually living in the CBD to around 16,000 (2004 estimate), a massive growth from only 1,400 in 1991.^[2] Much of this growth has been driven by immigration to New Zealand, particularly from Asia, and the CBD is the area in New Zealand with the highest percentage share (32%) of the Asian ethnic group in New Zealand.^[3] Also striking is the high number of students (both tertiary education and overseas students studying English in one of the many institutes), making up 27% of all residents (2001 Census) and contributing to the relative youth of the city residents.^[4]

The CBD economy is dominated by Ports of Auckland and by business and financial support services.

Economy

With 8,500 businesses, the CBD accounts for 18% of all businesses in Auckland City, with the largest being Ports of Auckland, and the largest employment sectors being financial services, ICT and business services. The CBD is also the largest employment centre in New Zealand, with around 65,000 jobs, representing 13% of the regional workforce, and 25% of the Auckland City workforce. Around 73,000 people enter the CBD every morning between 7 am and 9 am, 60% of these by car, while the total 'turnover' is around 270,000 people per day.^[5]

See also

★ Auckland City

★ Auckland waterfront

★ Karangahape Road, southern boundary mainstreet

★ Queen Street, north-south mainstreet of the CBD

References

1. Auckland's CBD at a glance (CBD website of the Auckland City Council)
2. About the CBD (CBD website of the Auckland City Council)
3. Auckland City CBD PESTE analysis (CBD website of the Auckland City Council)
4. Residents of Auckland's CBD (CBD website of the Auckland City Council)
5. A day in the life of Auckland's CBD (CBD website of the Auckland City Council)

External links

★ Auckland's CBD Into the Future (CBD website of the Auckland City Council)