Kōrero: City public spaces

Many towns were originally laid out with public spaces in mind. However, these were sometimes sold or deemed impractical. Auckland’s original plan included two squares, a circus (a circular open space where roads converge) and a public quay. The quay was never built, and the city’s rolling topography put paid to the squares and circus.

However, the centre of the proposed circus became the site of Albert Barracks, part of which was later set aside for Albert Park, one of the city’s most treasured public spaces.