A photograph of students from Unitec constructing a temporary installation titled ScopeCity, which was part of CityUps - a 'city of the future for one night only', and the main event of FESTA 2014.
A photograph of a man in a yellow jumpsuit standing on Manchester Street with a CityUps sign. CityUps was a 'city of the future for one night only', and the main event of FESTA 2014.
A photograph of CityUps - a 'city of the future for one night only', and the main event of FESTA 2014.
The increase in urban population has required cities to rethink their strategies for minimising greenhouse gas impacts and adapting to climate change. While urban design and planning policy have been guided by principles such as walkability (to reduce the dependence on cars) and green infrastructure (to enhance the quality of open spaces to support conservation and human values), there have been conflicting views on what spatial strategies will best prepare cities for a challenging future. Researchers supporting compact cities based upon public Transit Oriented Development have claimed that walkability, higher density and mixed-uses make cities more sustainable (Owen, 2009) and that, while green spaces in cities are necessary, they are dull in comparison with shopfronts and street vendors (Speck, 2012, p 250). Other researchers claim that green infrastructure is fundamental to improving urban sustainability and attracting public space users with improved urban comfort, consequently encouraging walkability (Pitman and Ely, 2013). Landscape architects tend to assume that ‘the greener the better’; however, the efficiency of urban greenery in relation to urban comfort and urbanity depends on its density, distribution and the services provided. Green infrastructure can take many forms (from urban forests to street trees) and provide varied services (amended microclimate, aesthetics, ecology and so forth). In this paper, we evaluate the relevance of current policy in Christchurch regarding both best practice in green infrastructure and urban comfort (Tavares, 2015). We focus on the Christchurch Blueprint for rebuilding the central city, and critically examine the post-earthquake paths the city is following regarding its green and grey infrastructures and the resulting urban environment. We discuss the performance and appropriateness of the current Blueprint in post-earthquake Christchurch, particularly as it relates to the challenges that climate change is creating for cities worldwide.
A photograph of students wearing high visibility vests and hard hats, taking a break on the CityUps installation site. CityUps was a 'city of the future for one night only', and the main event of FESTA 2014.
Painted lines on the road at the corner of Hereford and Colombo Streets, part of the Christchurch City Council's Transitional City project.
Christchurch Central City - 29 September 2013 File reference: CCL-2013-09-29-Lost-in-Central-City-DSC_0958.JPG Photo by Valerie Livingstone.
A photograph of a temporary installations titled GlowCity (left) and ING (right), which were created by students from Unitec. The installations were part of CityUps - a 'city of the future for one night only', and the main event of FESTA 2014.
A photograph of students wearing high visibility vests and hard hats. The students are working on a temporary installation for CityUps, titled Antigravity. CityUps was a 'city of the future for one night only', and the main event of FESTA 2014.
A photograph of students wearing high visibility vests and hard hats. The students are working on a temporary installation for CityUps, titled Antigravity. CityUps was a 'city of the future for one night only', and the main event of FESTA 2014.
Damage to the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Extensive damage can be seen on the north-west and south-west corners of the building.
Damaged buildings on Manchester Street, the facades of which have fallen into the street. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD".
A small tower on top of a roof in the Arts Centre. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Arts Centre".
Damage to a house in Richmond. The foundation is cracked, and a gap is visible between the foundation and the house. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Broken foundations, River Rd".
The clock tower at the Arts Centre supported by steel and wooden bracing to prevent further damage. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Arts Centre".
People look through the cordon fencing on the Bridge of Remembrance. The Grand Chancellor can be seen through the arch of the bridge. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Grand Chancellor Hotel through the Bridge of Remembrance".
A detailed presentation created in 2011, outlining the approach to the central city rebuild and associated risk management.
A crane sits beside the badly damaged Cranmer Courts building. The corner tower has collapsed. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Cranmer Courts, Montreal St".
A crane sits beside the badly damaged Cranmer Courts building. The corner tower has collapsed. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Cranmer Courts, Montreal St".
Damage to the south-west corner of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. A section of wall has collapsed, exposing the rooms within. Some of the stones have fallen onto a vehicle parked nearby. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Catholic Cathedral, Barbadoes St".
People look through the cordon fencing on the Bridge of Remembrance. The Grand Chancellor can be seen through the arch of the bridge.
Damage to the Smiths City car park building.
Damage to a house in Richmond. Brick cladding is badly cracked and buckled, and some bricks have fallen. There is a large gap between the floor and the foundations. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Our house - foundations and floor parted".
Damage to a house in Richmond. Large gaps are visible between the floor and the foundation, and between the foundation and the patio. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Our house - patio is heading west - or the sunroom is heading east".
Damage to a house in Richmond. Brick cladding is badly cracked and buckled, and some bricks have fallen. There is a large gap between the floor and the foundations. The photographer comments, "Brick walls still clinging on".
Damage to a house in Richmond. Brick cladding is badly cracked and buckled, and some bricks have fallen. There is a large gap between the floor and the foundations. The photographer comments, "Brick walls still clinging on".
Large cracks in the footpath in River Road, where the road has slumped towards the river. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. River Rd subsidence".
Large cracks in Avonside Drive, where the road has slumped towards the river. The photographer comments, "Swanns Rd bridge, Avonside".
Road cones mark off a large crack in River Road, where the road has slumped towards the river. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. River Rd subsidence".
Damage to the Music Centre of Christchurch. Leadlight windows are warped and broken, and bricks have fallen from the wall.