All sorts of people are popping up with ideas about the “new” Christchurch. Some are local, some are national and some are international commentators. As a resident and citizen of Christchurch you might still be in the stunned mullet stage of coming to grips with the new normal. But if you are already thinking about what you want to see happen in your city there are a number of places where you can share ideas.
One of the casualties of the quake was the Before After lecture series and display at the Christchurch Art Gallery but still has some interesting ideas and comments.
- Greening the Rubble got underway after the September quake and are also on facebook.
- In 2009, Danish urban designer Jan Gehl undertook a Public Space Public Life Study of Central Christchurch for the Christchurch City Council.
- Well known New Zealand architect Ian Athfield has been involved in planning ideas for central city revitalisation since before the quakes and post quake has caused some controversy.
If you want to do some reading check out our Urban Design resources. If you are thinking about what kind of houses we might build then I think Kevin McCloud’s 43 principles of home is a great place to start.
Christchurch City Libraries Blog 
Add this one in to the mix, too!
http://www.elevatedgardencity.com
Thanks for this heads up – it is a great site attracting lots of positive comments. This kind of imaginative idea is what we need.
Just spotted this in our new titles listing – Life between buildings by Jan Gehl – food for thought? http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Catalogue/keyword.asp?TI+life+between+buildings
I really want to see a community garden built using the plants left standing from the homes that have been demolished. Instead of writing the species names on the plaques, I think they should show the address of the house where each plant came from, as a memorial.
Gives a new meaning to “community” garden, huh?
I love that idea onder, there will be treasures in the most surprising gardens. I’m also thinking about what windblown seeds will colonise some of the vacant sites around.
Yes! We should just let the central city become a meadow of wild flowers 😉
i would love to see Christchurch looking more green, fresh, vibrant and attractively modern. perhaps the churches could be made from wood- as this is a safer material, than stone. an inspirational style of church is the “stave” churches of Norway- we could add our own kiwi flair, to put our own stamp on it, also mix it in with some nice modern style. we definitely need more grassy areas, more parks-for people to relax, more water features (fountains etc..) and more tourist attractions. keep it green!
Lots of ideas in here – don’t forget to comment on the draft Central City Plan http://www.centralcityplan.org.nz/