Making cities work

Author:

Gary Blick, James Stewart

Source:

Auckland Council Chief Economist Unit

Publication date:

2026

Topics:

Economy ,People ,Environment

Insights paper

Making cities work. Reflections on Alain Bertaud at Auckland Conversations.

Overview

This Insights Paper reflects on Alain Bertaud’s lecture at Auckland Conversations in March 2026 and his three key themes: cities as labour markets, the role of urban planning, and the importance of monitoring urban outcomes.

The paper also applies Bertaud's density profile approach to Auckland, illustrating how population density declines with distance from the city centre as households trade off accessibility against housing costs, given their budgets and housing options.

Auckland Council Chief Economist Unit, July 2026