Researchers have begun to explore the opportunity presented by blue-green infrastructure(a subset of nature-based solutions that provide blue and green space in urban infrastructure)as a response to the pressures of climate change. The 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence created a unique landscape within which there is opportunity to experiment with and invest in new solutions to climate change adaptation in urban centres. Constructed wetlands are an example of blue-green infrastructure that can potentially support resilience in urban communities. This research explores interactions between communities and constructed wetlands to understand how this may influence perceptions of community resilience. The regeneration of the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor (OARC) provides a space to investigate these relationships. Seven stakeholders from the community, industry, and academia, each with experience in blue-green infrastructure in the OARC, participated in a series of semi-structured interviews. Each participant was given the opportunity to reflect on their perspectives of community, community resilience, and constructed wetlands and their interconnections. Interview questions aligned with the overarching research objectives to (1) understand perceptions around the role of wetlands in urban communities, (2) develop a definition for community resilience in the context of the Ōtākaro Avon community, and (3) reflect on how wetlands can contribute to (or detract from) community resilience. This study found that constructed wetlands can facilitate learning about the challenges and solutions needed to adapt to climate change. From the perspective of the community representatives, community resilience is linked to social capital. Strong social networks and a relationship with nature were emphasised as core components of a community’s ability to adapt to disruption. Constructed wetlands are therefore recognised as potentially contributing to community resilience by providing spaces for people to engage with each other and nature. Investment in constructed wetlands can support a wider response to climate change impacts. This research was undertaken with the support of the Ōtākaro Living Laboratory Trust, who are invested in the future of the OARC. The outcomes of this study suggest that there is an opportunity to use wetland spaces to establish programmes that explore the perceptions of constructed wetlands from a broader community definition, at each stage of the wetland life cycle, and at wider scales(e.g., at a city scale or beyond).
From Staffordshire pottery to American made glass-ware, we’ve come across artefacts from all over the world on archaeological sites here in Christchurch. This prevalence of internationally made artefacts, and what it means for the city’s history, is something that’s come … Continue reading ...
After the shock and dust settled from the earthquakes, two friends, Helen Solomons and Wendy Riley, felt so strongly over the loss of the city's historic heart, they decided to put their skills to use and create this living tribute to it on the web.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The machinery used in the demolitions keeps getting more sophisticated as the taller buildings are dealt with. This is the large crane put in place to work on the deconstruction and demolition of the BNZ Building".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Looking through the Triangle Centre to the cranes dominating the skyline. This picture would be a challenge for one of those puzzles where you are asked to say how many triangles there are in the photo".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Telecom building, the Old Exchange Building and the Old Post Office are all in this photo as well as the Millennium Hotel and a few cranes".
A photograph of a vacant site on the corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street. This is to be the location of the Archrobatics project, which is part of LUXCITY.
A scanned copy of a black and white photograph belonging to University of Canterbury alumnus Colin Lau. Colin describes the photograph as follows: "I believe this is the hallway of the engineering school in Ilam".
A photograph of a vacant site on the corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street. This is to be the location of the Archrobatics project, which is part of LUXCITY.
A photograph of a vacant site on the corner of Manchester Street and Worcester Street. This is to be the location of the Archrobatics project, which is part of LUXCITY.
A thumbnail photograph of Whole House Reuse item 301, cropped for the catalogue. This item was salvaged from 19 Admiral Way in New Brighton as part of the Whole House Reuse project.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The reflection in the puddle and the sign with the words 'Just passing through' adds poignancy to this muddy and otherwise desolate scene".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "A pile of bricks which have crumbled from a wall and landed on a digger at a demolition on Lichfield Street. This is a result of the 23 December 2011 earthquake".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "On a sunny Sunday in June, people are taking advantage of the new vantage points provided by the cordon opening up Gloucester Street and this bit of Colombo Street close to the Cathedral".
A photograph of a plaque on a stone in Hagley Park which reads, "This stone was erected 16th Dec. 1908 by the Canterbury Old Colonists Assn to mark the spot where some of the first Canterbury settlers erected their huts 1851".
A hole in the side of the road along Avonside Drive. A blue pipe can be seen inside the hole. Pipes like this were used to provide temporary water supplies to the neighbourhood while the water system was being repaired.
A video of an address by Keith Land, Head of Canterbury Land Settlement, EQC, at the 2015 Seismics and the City forum. This talk is about learning from complex claims and local knowledge.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Nickie McFedries has had a bad run. Her Brittan Terrace house in Lyttelton has suffered extensive earthquake damage and now vandals have smashed up her car in the early hours of this morning".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Canterbury Home Show exhibition sales manager Sharon Spyve has managed to organise this year's show despite the fact that her own home was wrecked by the September earthquake, causing major disruption to her personal life".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Transport Minister Steven Joyce considers comments by Waimakariri District Council Chief Executive Jim Palmer at a press conference in Kaiapoi this week. With them is local National List MP and Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson".
After more major earthquakes in Christchurch this week, Bishop Victoria Matthews fears her clergy, and the people, are facing 'exaustion of the spirit'. She says it's important to keep alive hope, and thanksgiving for all that we still have - even in the face of loss and crisis.
The Opposition is accusing the Government of a slash-and-burn approach to spending, in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake. Prime Minister John Key says he wants no new spending in this year's Budget, and admits that will mean cuts in some areas.
A photograph submitted by Raymond Morris to the QuakeStories website. The description reads, "This painting of the ‘Frame workshop’ 456 Colombo St. Sydenham is by artist Raymond Morris. It is one of many paintings he has done of buildings demolished in the earthquakes 2010-2011.".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Canterbury Home Show exhibition sales manager Sharon Spyve has managed to organise this year's show despite the fact that her own home was wrecked by the September earthquake, causing major disruption to her personal life".
This is where Tuahiwi people fished, eeled and gathered other kaimoana until the waterways were blocked and the land confiscated for public works in 1956. Getting land back in Christchurch was a key part of the Treaty claim lodged in 1986.
The Supreme Court has ruled that a class action by Canterbury insurance holders against Southern Response can go ahead. Ali Jones, insurance claimants advocate explains to The Panel what this means for home owners who've been fighting for years to get their fair entitlements.
A cycle-lane sign submerged in water. The photographer comments, "During the Christchurch earthquake this sign must have dropped off of the pedestrian bridge above and landed straight down into the Avon River".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Carlton Country Club at 1 Papanui Road in Merivale. This is the former site of the historic Carlton Hotel, built 1906, damaged by the earthquakes and demolished on 9 April 2011".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The plan for this building in Lichfield Street (as relayed to Ross by the contractors) is to remove the roof and open as a bar within 3 weeks".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The plan for this building in Lichfield Street (as relayed to Ross by the contractors) is to remove the roof and open as a bar within 3 weeks".