<b>Ōtautahi-Christchurch faces the future in an enviable position. Compared to other New Zealand cities Christchurch has lower housing costs, less congestion, and a brand-new central city emerging from the rubble of the 2011 earthquakes. ‘Room to Breathe: designing a framework for medium density housing (MDH) in Ōtautahi-Christchurch’ seeks to answer the timely question how can medium density housing assist Ōtautahi-Christchurch to respond to growth in a way that supports a well-functioning urban environment? Using research by design, the argument is made that MDH can be used to support a safe, accessible, and connected urban environment that fosters community, while retaining a level of privacy. This is achieved through designing a neighbourhood concept addressing 3 morphological scales- macro- the city; meso- the neighbourhood; and micro- the home and street. The scales are used to inform a design framework for MDH specific to Ōtautahi-Christchurch, presenting a typological concept that takes full advantage of the benefits higher density living has to offer.</b> Room to Breathe proposes repurposing underutilised areas surrounding existing mass transit infrastructure to provide a concentrated populous who do not solely rely on private vehicles for transport. By considering all morphological scales Room to Breathe provides one suggestion on how MDH could become accepted as part of a well-functioning urban environment.
One end of the Arts Centre photographed shortly after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The gable of the building has crumbled and fallen to the ground, collapsing an awning. A large crack can be seen in the corner tower. Blue ties can be seen at the top of the tower, used to brace the structure after the 4 September 2010. This has probably limited the damage caused by the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of the Cranmer Courts on the corner of Kilmore and Montreal Streets. One of the gables has crumbled. Ties have been placed around the rest of the gables to limit further damage from aftershocks.
A photograph of a tower of the Arts Centre taken from Rolleston Avenue near the Botanic Gardens. A wooden structure has been wrapped around the tower and secured with tie-downs in order to help reduce damage by further aftershocks.
A photograph of the Arts Centre taken from Rolleston Avenue near the Botanic Gardens. The building has been cordoned off by wire fencing and a wooden structure has been secured to the tower with tie-downs to help reduce damage from further aftershocks.
Laura Young and I tying down tarps over the hole in the roof. We did what we could to tie it down with tension and weigh it down with bricks tied to the tarps. Why? Because gale-force winds are predicted for tomorrow (Sunday) and rain on Tuesday.
A photograph of the Cranmer Courts on the corner of Montreal and Kilmore Street. The tower on the corner has been braced with ties.
A photograph of the Cranmer Courts on the corner of Montreal and Kilmore Street. The tower on the corner has been braced with ties.
A photograph of the Cranmer Courts on the corner of Kilmore and Montreal Streets. One of the gables has crumbled and ties have been placed around the rest to limit further damage from aftershocks.
A photograph of the Cranmer Courts on the corner of Kilmore and Montreal Streets. One of the gables has crumbled and ties have been placed around the rest to limit further damage from aftershocks. Pigeons are roosting on the edge.
Volunteers tying down cables during the construction of the Pallet Pavilion.
Emergency tape tied to the gates of Radio New Zealand House.
A photograph of a painting attached to a wire fence with cable ties.
Plywood and ties reinforcing a chimney on the roof of the Arts Centre.
Yellow ribbons tied to a cordon fence in Cashel Street protest the proposed demolition of the Cathedral.
Yellow ribbons tied to a cordon fence in Cashel Street protest the proposed demolition of the Cathedral.
The damaged Nortons building in Lyttelton is braced with wooden supports and the parapet tied to its roof with straps.
Damage to a brick building. Earthquake-strengthening ties have prevented the gable end from collapsing, but large cracks are still visible.
The "Tree of Hope" at the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. The photographer comments, "Luggage labels and pens were supplied, and people were encouraged to write a message of hope for Christchurch and tie it to the tree. Although the turn-out this year was just as big as last year's, there were not as many messages tied to the tree - perhaps we're all feeling less hopeful this year".
People write messages for the "Tree of Hope" at the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. The photographer comments, "Luggage labels and pens were supplied, and people were encouraged to write a message of hope for Christchurch and tie it to the tree. Although the turn-out this year was just as big as last year's, there were not as many messages tied to the tree - perhaps we're all feeling less hopeful this year".
A photograph of large fabric balloons being tied together as part of the eLITE installation for LUXCITY.
A photograph of a black tie auction for the Whittaker's Big Egg Hunt, held at the Auckland Museum.
A worker watching as his colleague releases the trailer ties that are holding port-a-loos onto a trailer.
A felt heart with "peace be with you" sewn on the front, tied to the wire fencing in front of the broken St Joseph's Church in Lyttelton.
A photograph of members of the New Zealand Army tying planks of wood to the top of one of their trucks.
A photograph of Tony's Tyre Service on Armagh Street. The tape that had cordoned the building off is no longer tied in place.
Flowers tied to the wire fences outside the CTV building site on Madras Street. Many people lost their lives in this building during the earthquake.
A sign tied to the security fence surrounding Shands Emporium shows a heart made up of photographs of faces, and the words "Share your smile, share your love".
A photograph of handwritten cardboard signs attached to a fence with cable ties. The signs are at the site of Illusions, part of LUXCITY.
A photograph of a placard tied to the cordon fence surrounding the Isaac Theatre Royal. The placard reads, "Why is this real not that".