The Fort Street Area project pioneered new approaches to designing Auckland’s streets and transformed this area into a recognised destination in the City Centre.
In 2004, Auckland City Council adopted its CBD into the Future Strategy, which set out a plan for reshaping and revitalising Auckland’s city centre into one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic business and cultural centres. For the Fort Street Area comprising: Fort Street, Jean Batten Place, Fort Lane, Lower Shortland Street, Commerce Street, Gore Street and Gore Street Lane a list of clear high-level design objectives were set for the project:
- Better integrate the area into the surrounding streetscape network
- Provide greater pedestrian priority whilst continuing to cater for essential vehicular access
- Create a distinctive public space and provide opportunities for the area to be a popular destination in the city centre
- Create a space that supports businesses and residents and provides opportunities for a variety of activities
- Provide a high quality, attractive and durable streetscape that contributes to a sustainable and maintainable city centre