Auckland City Centre Place Activation + Development Response

Auckland Council + Auckland Transport

Place Creative has contributed to a wide range of Auckland City Centre regeneration initiatives since the early stages of the City Rail Link (CRL) - Aotearoa’s largest-ever infrastructure project. Over the past decade, we’ve held a variety of roles supporting the city through change, with a focus on place-based responses, activation, and community connection.

A selection of the projects we have been involved in are listed below

Street Response - Downtown Programme

Held the Street Response role within the Development Response team, supporting the delivery of temporary public spaces, wayfinding, business support activations, and an ambassador programme during the cruise ship season.
Street Response - Karangahape Road Enhancements

Led street-level engagement and activation responses throughout construction, ensuring ongoing access, vibrancy, and local connection.
Auckland City Centre Vacant Storefronts Programme

Transformed empty retail spaces into vibrant works of art in response to COVID-19 and leasing pressures in the central city. Artist pictured: Harris Keenan
Griffith Gardens + Pā Rongorongo

Initiated and led the creation of a temporary community space and city centre information and arts hub on a future CRL site at Albert and Wellesley Streets.
Viaduct Harbour Compost Hub

Brokered the city’s first commercially supported local compost hub in partnership with For the Love of Bees, Carbon Cycle, and Auckland Council, processing food waste from local restaurants.
Auckland’s First Parklet - Lorne Street

Delivered a tactical urbanism project that reimagined 2 parking spaces as public space.
High Street Trials - Technical Design Brief

Developed the technical brief for Stage 1 of the High Street pedestrian-friendly street trials.
Advisory Roles

Provided strategic advice to Auckland Council and the Link Alliance on major city shaping projects, including Te Hā Noa (Victoria Street) and the Albert Street upgrades.