A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 26 August 2011
Successful urban regeneration projects generate benefits that are realised over a much longer timeframe than normal market developments and benefits well beyond those that can be uplifted by a market developer. Consequently there is substantial evidence in the literature that successful place-making and urban regeneration projects are usually public-private partnerships and involve a funder, usually local or central government, willing to contribute ‘patient’ capital. Following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes that devastated the centre of Christchurch, there was an urgent need to rebuild and revitalise the heart of the city, and increasing the number of people living in or near the city centre was seen as a key ingredient of that. In October 2010, an international competition was launched to design and build an Urban Village, a project intended to stimulate renewed residential development in the city. The competition attracted 58 entrants from around world, and in October 2013 the winning team was chosen from four finalists. However the team failed to secure sufficient finance, and in November 2015 the Government announced that the development would not proceed. The Government was unwilling or unable to recognise that an insistence on a pure market approach would not deliver the innovative sustainable village asked for in the competition brief, and failed to factor in the opportunity cost to government, local government, local businesses and the wider Christchurch community of delaying by many years the residential development of the eastern side of the city. As a result, the early vision of the vitality that a thriving residential neighbourhood would bring to the city has not yet been realised.
The St Paul's-Trinity-Pacific Church on the corner of Madras and Cashel Streets. The brick walls have collapsed, bringing the roof down with them.
Members of the New Zealand and Chinese Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams clearing rubble on the site of the CTV Building.
A member of the New Zealand Army discussing a map of the Christchurch red zone with a New Zealand Police Officer.
A member of the New Zealand Army discussing a map of the Christchurch red zone with a New Zealand Police Officer.
A digger at the site of the CTV Building. In the background, the elevator shaft can still be seen.
Members of the New Zealand and Chinese Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams digging through rubble at the CTV site.
The US Aid tent in Latimer Square. After the 22 February 2011 earthquake, emergency service agencies set up their headquarters in Latimer Square.
Members of the South Australian Urban Search and Rescue team digging through rubble in the central city.
Two diggers at the site of the CTV Building. In the background, the elevator shaft can still be seen.
A member of the New Zealand Army discussing a map of the Christchurch red zone with a New Zealand Police Officer.
Members of the Police and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams working on the site of the CTV Building.
Aerial image of the PGC Building site on Cambridge Terrace, taken by the Royal New Zealand Air Force for the Earthquake Commission.
An image from a Navy Today April 2011 article titled, "Earthquake!". The image is of sailors off loading food from the HMNZS Canterbury for the Lyttelton Community.
A photograph of members of the Wellington Emergency Management Office Emergency Response Team standing on Antigua Street near Corys Electrical.
Soldiers from the New Zealand Army and Singapore Armed Forces guarding a cordon in the central city.
Members of the Navy loading crates of bread and plastic cups onto a truck in Lyttelton Harbour.
The HMNZS Canterbury, HMNZS Otago and HMNZS Pukaki moored in Lyttelton Harbour.
An aerial view of Christchurch a week after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. High Street can be seen.
An aerial view of Christchurch a week after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The CTV site can be seen.
An aerial view of Christchurch a week after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Latimer Square can be seen.
An aerial view of Christchurch a week after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. High Street can be seen.
An aerial view of Christchurch a week after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. High Street can be seen.
NZ Army personnel driving an armoured vehicle through the streets of Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Vehicles on the HMNZS Canterbury. These will help with the earthquake recovery in Lyttelton and Christchurch.
Vehicles on the HMNZS Canterbury. These will help with the earthquake recovery in Lyttelton and Christchurch.
Members of the Urban Search and Rescue teams from Auckland observing two minutes of silence a week after the 22 September 2011 earthquake.
Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopters flying over the PGC Building after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Damage to the Lyttelton Port. In the background the HMNZS Canterbury can be seen, just returned from a trip to Wellington to resupply.