Working alongside Arup, Jacobs and LandLab, Jasmax was a technical advisor to Auckland Transport, responsible for leading the urban design, architectural and public realm inputs into the Light Rail Reference Design, completed in 2017. A catalyst for transformation and urban improvement, the Light Rail vision was to reconnect Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland through development of a quality, sustainable transport system between Auckland Airport and the city centre. Designed to integrate with the City Rail Link programme of works, Light Rail also aimed to support Auckland’s prosperity and economic growth by addressing capacity constraints and improving the accessibility of the major employment areas of the airport precinct and city centre.

The reference design outlined opportunities for integrated transport and land use planning to achieve high-quality and compact growth. The design outlined a sustainable transport solution that minimised environmental effects associated with the public transport network and that would make a major contribution to meeting the country’s carbon emission reduction targets. Consideration was given to climate change impacts along alignment route, most particularly future flooding impact brought about by extreme weather events, improving the quality of public realm urban design, considering the potential impact to heritage buildings, conservation of protected natural areas along corridor route and whole of life design considerations embedded within operational and maintenance requirements. Downstream benefits include improving the liveability, vibrancy, attractiveness and safety of the city and employment centres along the route as places to live, work and visit.