Auckland as a globally competitive city, and the value and importance of a vibrant city centre

The recently released City Momentum Index, published by Jones Lang LaSalle, positions Auckland as an one of the smaller ‘new world cities’ that is gaining rapid momentum and competition in a highly contested global market, citing it as one of the most ‘dynamic city economies globally to have been able to achieve global reach without significant economies of scale’. The importance of committing to bold urban transformational projects, such as Wynyard Quarter and the City Rail link in the City Centre,  is identified as how Auckland will move forward, build momentum and maintain the competitive edge.

Greg Clark, a noted authority on the business of cities, an adviser to the City Momentum Index research, and a regular visitor to Auckland, believes that Auckland is on the right track, particularly with projects such as the City Rail Link, and other planned future investment. As part of that visit Greg also spoke to Auckland Council about the importance and value of a vibrant city centre particularly as we face a number of challenges  associated with growth, including housing affordability and talent attraction.

" In order for Auckland to be sustainable, you need to be able to capture more of that advanced economy and more of that talent that goes with it. That means you need a vibrant and successful city centre that has those functions and amenities.”

"The city centre and waterfront are becoming places where many people now live and can rub shoulders with each other. There’s a rich mix of different kinds of people doing a wide range of things..”

Read his full interview here.

The City Momentum Index 2016 is published here.