BeckerFraserPhotos September 2010 photograph 093

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Cracking along the pavement at Halswell Primary School. The ground has risen and fallen in places leaving an uneven surface where the children usually play.

Play, politics and the production of space: DIY urbanism in post-earthquak…

Research papers, The University of Auckland Library

The Canterbury earthquake sequence of 2010-2011 wrought ruptures in not only the physical landscape of Canterbury and Christchurch’s material form, but also in its social, economic, and political fabrics and the lives of Christchurch inhabitants. In the years that followed, the widespread demolition of the CBD that followed the earthquakes produced a bleak landscape of grey rubble punctuated by damaged, abandoned buildings. It was into this post-earthquake landscape that Gap Filler and other ‘transitional’ organisations inserted playful, creative, experimental projects to bring life and energy back into the CBD. This thesis examines those interventions and the development of the ‘Transitional Movement’ between July 2013 and June 2015 via the methods of walking interviews and participant observation. This critical period in Christchurch’s recovery serves as an example of what happens when do-it-yourself (DIY) urbanism is done at scale across the CBD and what urban experimentation can offer city-making. Through an understanding of space as produced, informed by Lefebvre’s thinking, I explore how these creative urban interventions manifested a different temporality to orthodox planning and demonstrate how the ‘soft’ politics of these interventions contain the potential for gentrification and also a more radical politics of the city, by creating an opening space for difference.

CityUps Video Clip 2014:10:25 18:47:50

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video clip of young people playing volleyball on Manchester Street during CityUps. CityUps was a 'city of the future for one night only', and the main event of FESTA 2014.

Christchurch Press Infographic: 16 June 2012 (2)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A page layout from the front page of The Press, featuring a story about the first All Blacks test to be played in Christchurch since the 4 September 2010 earthquake.

Urban forests - Justin Morgenroth

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A lecturer at Canterbury University's School of Forestry, Justin Morgenroth on new research into the lifesaving role played by trees in the Christchurch earthquakes - and the importance of urban forests for the future of the city.

CityUps Video Clip 2014:10:25 18:48:58

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video clip of young people playing volleyball on Manchester Street during CityUps. CityUps was a 'city of the future for one night only', and the main event of FESTA 2014.

BeckerFraserPhotos February 2012 photograph 0174

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a Nero playing while Rome burns, painted on a concrete block in a retaining wall. The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Cunningham Terrace, Lyttelton".

Photograph by Jennifer Middendorf 464

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Children play on street furniture on Gloucester Street, part of one of the Christchurch City Council's Transitional City projects. In the background is the facade of the Isaac Theatre Royal, protected by shipping containers.

Photograph of Gap Filler project 16 (23)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

The entrance to Gap Filler's temporary cinema 'The Night Club', with doors created by lights, a light sculpture and a screen where 'Play Time' is being projected.

Photograph by Jennifer Middendorf 463

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Children play on street furniture on Gloucester Street, part of one of the Christchurch City Council's Transitional City projects. In the background is the facade of the Isaac Theatre Royal, protected by shipping containers.

Photograph by Jennifer Middendorf 462

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Children play on street furniture on Gloucester Street, part of one of the Christchurch City Council's Transitional City projects. In the background is the facade of the Isaac Theatre Royal, protected by shipping containers.

All Right? Out and About with All Right: Campaign Launch Photograph 22

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of musicians playing an electric guitar and a double bass. The photograph was taken at the All Right? Campaign Launch at the Pallet Pavilion.

All Right? Out and About with All Right: Campaign Launch Photograph 23

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of musicians playing an electric guitar and a double bass. The photograph was taken at the All Right? Campaign Launch at the Pallet Pavilion.

UCSA Tea Party Photograph 1

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a band playing to a crowd of students on Ilam fields during an annual Tea Party event. The photograph is from the 2010s.

Paul and Sam Corliss's Street Art Photograph (2015:03:22 14:33:48)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of street art on the side of the Couplands Bakery on Hawke Street in New Brighton. The artwork depicts a young man playing in the water.

Dance-O-Mat Talk and Speed Dancing Session Photograph 7

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a young child playing with bubble wrap at the Gap Filler Dance-O-Mat talk and speed-dancing session. The event was part of FESTA 2012.

So long and thanks for all the fish

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Today’s my last day at Underground Overground Archaeology, the company I founded in 2006. This isn’t something I ever thought would happen, but then, when I look back on how my archaeological career has played out so far, there’s not … Continue reading →

Photograph by Jennifer Middendorf 281

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A string quartet from Christchurch Girls High School plays on the riverbank before the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. In the foreground people wait for the event to start.

Photographs of Gap Filler project 10 (22)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A sign at the site of Gap Filler's Community Chess. The sign reads, "Free for all to play, pieces stores in chest. Please collect keys from Honey Pot Cafe".

Photograph of Gap Filler project 11 (31)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

One of Gap Filler's painted pianos painted by students at the University of Canterbury. Multicolour handprints have been placed on the piano as well as a painted sign reading, "Play Me".

Photograph by Jennifer Middendorf 294

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A string quartet from Christchurch Girls High School plays on the riverbank before the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. In the foreground people wait for the event to start.

Christchurch Press Image: Iain McGregor 2010:09:05 23:56:05

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Major earthquake hits Christchurch. Playing in cracks in Avonside Drive from left: Bailey McFarlane (6), Cameron McFarlane (4) and Tyler McFarlane (9)".

Photographs of Gap Filler project 10 (42)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Wintering, a folk collaboration from Wellington, performing at the Gap Filler Community Chess Board. To the right, members of the public are playing mini golf on one of the Gap Golf courses.

Photographs of Gap Filler project 10 (36)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Signs at the site of Gap Filler's Community Chess, explaining the project. One sign reads, "Free for all to play. Pieces stored in chest. Please collect keys from Honey Pot Cafe".

Photograph of Gap Filler project 16 (14)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

The screen in Gap Filler's temporary cinema, where Jacque Tati's movie 'Play Time' will be projected. The red 'carpet' painted on the gravel and a coat rack can also be seen.

Christchurch Press Image: Iain McGregor 2010:10:23 05:21:21

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Band Together concert in Hagley Park for earthquake relief. Prime Minister John Key congratulates Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker after playing guitar on stage with The Bats".

CityUps Photograph 2014:10:25 17:45:50

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of people playing backyard cricket on Manchester Street, before CityUps - a 'city of the future for one night only', and the main event of FESTA 2014.

I Seem to Have Temporarily Misplaced My Sense of Humour... Photograph 2

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a pianist playing a painted piano. The piano is on the site of Wayne Youle's mural, 'I seem to have temporarily misplaced my sense of humour'.

DramaSoc Poster: Bobby Sucks

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A scanned copy of a poster produced by the University of Canterbury Drama Society in the 1970s. The poster is advertising a revue titled 'Bobby Sucks', performed at Ngaio Marsh Theatre in the UCSA building. The poster was sourced from DramaSoc archives held at Macmillan Brown Library.

Canterbury Tales Photograph 2013:10:27 21:37:20

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a musician playing an electric guitar during the Canterbury Tales procession. Canterbury Tales was created by Free Theatre Christchurch, and was the main event of FESTA 2013.