The aftermath of three earthquakes has forced Christchurch to re-plan and rebuild. New perspectives of a sustainable city have arisen granting Christchurch the chance of becoming an example to the world. This work is centred on bioclimatic landscape design as a base for greening strategies. It deals with strategic landscape design adapted to a specific climate, from a user’s perspective. The investigation will be applied to Christchurch’s urban centres, assessing cultural adaptability to the local climate and implications for landscape design. Climatic data shows that humidity is not a local problem. However, the wind is the determinant. In Christchurch the solar radiation and the prevailing winds are the most important microclimatic variables, the latter intensifying the loss of surface heat, decreasing the radiant temperature and affecting thermal sensation. The research objective is to explore design parameters at the street-scale and identify ways to maximise thermal comfort in outdoor spaces through design-based strategies. The investigation will apply methods of participant observation, depth interviews, climatic data collection and design experimentation based on thermal comfort models and computer simulation tools. Case study sites chosen for investigation are places with current levels of activity that may be anticipated in the rebuild of the central city. The research will have two main outcomes: improved understanding of local urban culture adaptation to microclimate, and a demonstration of how design can enhance adaption. These outcomes will inform designers and city managers about good design practices and strategies that can be used to ensure a long term liveable city.
A PDF copy of pages 16-17 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'The RDUnit - Mobile Broadcasting Facility'. Photos: Rachel Morton
A PDF copy of pages 188-189 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Dairy and Container Colombo Street'. Photos: Coralie Winn
A PDF copy of pages 246-247 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'The Earthquake in Chile'. Photos: Sharon Mazer. With permission from Free Theatre.
A PDF copy of pages 258-259 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Upon the Upland Road'. Photos: Trent Hiles
A PDF copy of pages 300-301 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Coffee Zone Mini Park'. Photos with permission from Greening the Rubble
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Christchurch Cathedral".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Christchurch Cathedral".
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An aerial photograph looking north over the Christchurch central city from Moorhouse Avenue centred on Manchester Street.
A safety notice board in the window of the Christchurch City Council Civic Offices on Hereford Street.
A photograph of a woman in a temporary café in a house in the Christchurch central city.
A photograph of USAR codes spray painted on a set of letterboxes in the Christchurch central city.
A safety notice board in the window of the Christchurch City Council Civic Offices on Hereford Street.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Christchurch city from the air, looking south towards the Port Hills".
An aerial photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Old Christchurch City Council administration building on Tuam Street".
Aftermath of September 4th Earthquake in Canterbury, NZ. Damage to roads alongside Avon river, Christchurch City.
Aftermath of September 4th Earthquake in Canterbury (area covers Christchurch City), NZ. Cracks alongside Avon river.
A copy of a letter from Hugo Kristinsson which was sent to Helen Beaumont, Manager of the Natural Environment and Heritage Unit at the Christchurch City Council, on 17 June 2014. The letter was sent on behalf of Empowered Christchurch. It is about legislation which, according to Kristinsson, determines land below the mean high water spring to be public land. Kristinsson is concerned that this legislation will cause 'hundred or even thousands' of people to lose their assets. He urges the Council to 'have the land surveyed and to redefine the CMA [Crown Minerals Act] before land claims are settled'.
A copy of a document from Empowered Christchurch which was sent to Queen Elizabeth. The document consists of a letter from Empowered Christchurch to Douglas Martin, Crown Manager from the Christchurch City Council, and Official Information Act requests sent to Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson and Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee. It also includes an appeal to the Queen on behalf of Christchurch residents with badly-damaged houses. Please note that a letter from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, which was originally included in the document, has been removed due to copyright issues.
A video of a presentation by Amanda Cropp, Christchurch Business Bureau Chief for Fairfax Media, at the 2016 Seismics in the City Conference. The presentation is titled, "The Role of the Fourth Estate in the Post-Quake Era".
A video of a presentation by Justin Kean, Director of Research and Consulting at JLL, at the 2016 Seismics in the City Conference. The presentation is titled, "Factors Shaping the Industrial and Commercial Evolution of Greater Christchurch".
Site of the Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC), part of Christchurch City Council. When viewed May 2011 the focus of the site was to assist businesses affected by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
The 6.7 magnitude earthquake which struck Christchurch three years ago didn't just destroy large amounts of the city's infrastructure, it also had a profound effect on the natural environment.
Christchurch’s architecture, both new and old, has been brought to life in an illustrated walking book that pays homage to the city’s historical buildings and showcases its new direction in the post-earthquake era.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "City Care workers repair broken water pipes on Matipo Street, probably caused by the morning's earthquake".
Facsimile reproduction of a drawing of the Bank of New Zealand, from Mosley's 'Illustrated Guide to Christchurch and Neighbourhood', c. 1885.
Painted lines and planters on Colombo Street, seen through the cordon fence. The decorations were part of a Christchurch City Council Transitional City project, in preparation for Colombo Street's re-opening.
Painted lines and planters on Colombo Street, seen through the cordon fence. The decorations were part of a Christchurch City Council Transitional City project, in preparation for Colombo Street's re-opening.
A PDF copy of pages 210-211 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'St Luke's Labyrinth'. Page 210 photos: Irene Boles. Page 211 photos: Peter Walker, Three Chairs Photography. With permission from Student Volunteer Army Foundation.