An aerial view of Re:START mall and the central city, during the Canterbury Tales procession. Canterbury Tales was created by Free Theatre Christchurch, and was the main event of FESTA 2013.
Looking into Christchurch Central over cordon fencing and road cones. A crane can be seen in the background and on the right is the empty site where the CTV building once was.
This research attempts to understand how the Christchurch rebuild is promoting urban liveability in the Central City, focussing on the influence of communities and neighbourhoods in this area. To do this, gathering the perceptions of Christchurch residents through surveys, a focus group and semi-structured interviews was carried out to see what aspects they believe contribute to creating more liveable places. These methods revealed that there are pockets of neighbourhoods and communities in the inner-city, but no overall sense of community. Results from the semi-structured interviews reinforced this; the current buyers of inner-city property are in the financial position to be able to do this, and they seem to be purchasing in this area due to convenience and investment rather than to join the existing communities in the area. Analysing the survey responses from Central City residents revealed contrasting results. Those currently living in the area felt there is a sense of community in the inner-city, but these are found in pockets of neighbourhoods around the Central City rather than in the overall area. The focus group revealed that community is further prioritised later in life, and that many of the community groups in the inner-city predominantly consist of those who have lived there since before the Christchurch Earthquake Series. However, participants of all three methods believed that the Central City is slowly becoming a lively and vibrant place. To improve urban liveability in the inner-city, it seems that prioritisation of the needs of current inner-city residents is required. Improving these neighbourhoods, whether it be through the implementation of services or providing more communal spaces, is needed to create stronger communities. The feelings of place, connectedness, and belonging that arise from being part of a community or well-connected neighbourhood can improve mental health and wellbeing, ultimately enhancing the overall health of the population as well as the perceived urban liveability of the area.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The intersection of High, Manchester, and Lichfield Streets. North-west view".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Octagon Live Restaurant, viewed from Manchester Street".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The intersection of High, Manchester, and Lichfield Streets. South-west view".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The intersection of Colombo and Armagh Streets, looking east".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "A view looking down Gloucester Street to the deconstruction of the Gallery Apartments".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "St John the Baptist".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Hereford Street/Manchester Street intersection - north-east view".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Hereford Street/Manchester Street intersection - south-east view".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Colombo Street/Hereford Street intersection - south view".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Colombo Street/Hereford Street intersection - south - east view".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Colombo Street/Hereford Street intersection - north - west view".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Colombo Street/Lichfield Street intersection - north west view".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Colombo Street/Lichfield Street intersection - north east view".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Lichfield Street/Madras Street intersection - north west view".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The back of the Farmers car park building on Armagh Street".
A photograph of Julia Holden's painting 'ChristChurch Cathedral' displayed on a billboard on Cuba Street, Wellington.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Hotel Grand Chancellor, demolished to a level that it no longer dominates the skyline".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The intersection of High, Manchester, and Lichfield Streets. South-east view".
A photograph of a model city at the Rebuild Central office on Lichfield Street. The model was created by members of the public as part of the Christchurch City Council's Transitional City consultation project.
A photograph of Julia Holden's painting 'ChristChurch Cathedral' displayed on a billboard on Cuba Street, Wellington.
A photograph of Julia Holden's painting 'ChristChurch Cathedral' displayed on a billboard on Cuba Street, Wellington.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The intersection of Colombo and Armagh Streets looking north-east".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Deconstruction of AMI Insurance Building, 29-35 Latimer Square".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Lichfield Street/Madras Street intersection - south west view".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Lichfield Street/Madras Street intersection - north east view".
A photograph of children's paintings attached to a cordon fence. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Manchester and Tuam Streets, botanical preservation site".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The intersection of Colombo and Armagh Streets, looking west".