‘We can have beautiful things!’ Why Auckland’s City Rail Link is about much more than trains
The city’s new underground rail stations are also impressive public spaces, showing how infrastructure can go well beyond the functional bare minimum.
Auckland's City Rail Link (CRL) is set to open on September 13 after a decade of development and a budget of NZ$5.493 billion. The project, a collaboration between central and local governments, aims to transform the city's central public transport system by adding twin 3.45-kilometre tunnels and optimising the surrounding rail network.
However, the significance of the CRL extends beyond its functional purpose of enhancing transport options. The project has also delivered impressive public spaces, with two brand new stations and one substantially refurbished one. These stations feature not only functional amenities but also architectural design, public art, and memorable public spaces that evoke a sense of pride and civic ambition.
The unveiling of these public spaces has generated excitement among Aucklanders, with thousands attending public previews at the Mangawhau, Te Waihorotiu, and Karanga-a-Hape stations. Some, however, question the project's design ambitions, with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown suggesting that the stations resemble "cathedrals" suitable only for catching a train rather than being celebrated public spaces.
This critique reflects a broader cultural tendency in New Zealand, where practicality and frugality often take precedence over aspiration and inspiration in urban infrastructure. Yet, the success of similar projects in cities like Christchurch's Tūranga library demonstrates the value of investing in memorable public spaces. The CRL project signifies a shift in Auckland's approach to civic infrastructure, suggesting a growing recognition that cities are more than just a collection of utilitarian engineering solutions.
They are places that can inspire, evoke pride, and remind inhabitants of their collective values and aspirations.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
