FUTURE CHRISTCHURCH V4.5christchurch: the eventful city

Jin Kyung Janice Lee

Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Architecture (Professional) degree, The University of Auckland, 2013.

Christchurch: The Eventful City

Jin Kyung Janice Lee

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First of all,

I would like to give my deep love and thank to my dearest family,who always encourage and support throughout my whole life.This thesis cannot be completed without their endless love.

I would like to express my gratitude to my awesome supervisors,Camia Young, Chris Barton and David Sheppard,for their passion, comments and engagementthrough the learning process of this master thesis.Also cheers to our Future Christchurch group!

I would like to thank Mike Kim for supporting me with his intelligenceand Erica Austin who happily agreed to be a great Avon River tour guide character.

Furthermore, I wish to thank the North Shore Korean Church, KOSTA worship team membersand my best friend Hye Young Cho in USA, all the best wishes for her study.

Lastly, I would like to express my deepest appreciationto all those who supported me throughout the year.

All the glory to the God almighty who was and is and is to come.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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7ABSTRACT

This thesis proposes a design solution that acts as a catalyst for transitional events to engender a sense of community and encourage investment back into the city of Christchurch.The thesis asserts that a Transitional City Project is an opportunity for the city in its post-quake rebuild period to strengthen Christchurchs future event economy.

An event corridor along the Avon River is proposed to allow more engagement with transitional architecture. This, in turn, will energise Christchurch by inviting and encouraging various event programmes along the river.

The design requires landscaping of the Residential Red Zone beside the Avon River, where the land has been categorised for open space uses. By animating the river scene with transitional architectural structures, the intention is to bring liveliness into the corridor through interactive events which will also contribute to the residents quality of life.

The proposal challenges conventional attitudes regarding event venues. Whilst a permanent venue like the Town Hall may be more appropriate for the long term, the thesis asserts transitional architecture is a more appropriate solution during the citys rebuilding phase because it provides immediate gathering points and events, essential for rebuilding community.

The design of an event corridor along the Avon River explores the idea by setting up three selected site case studies.The design comprises a series of transitional city projects along the river banks with the aim of providing a dynamic, eventful experience for the people of Christchurch as well as tourists and visitors. The project sites are based on a conceptualised confetti infrastructure which acknowledges the Avon Rivers rich history of community gatherings. The design encourages more community involvement in event opportunities and extends the field of participation with the overall aim of promoting and recruiting community effort as part of the rebuilding process.

8TABLE OF CONTENTS

researchPART ONE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 3

1. Aftermath: Since the Earthquake 13

1.1 Experience Economy 14

1.2 Earthquake Damage 16

1.3 The Avon River 24

1.4 The Avon River Residential Red Zone 28

1.5 Quality of Life of Residents 36

2.1 Christchurch Event Strategy 42

2.2 Event Programmes and Distribution 44

2.3 San Antonio River Walk: Precedent Study 48

3.1 What is Transitional? 64

3.2 Transitional City Project 66

3.3 Evaluation 74

3. Transitional City Project 63

2. Events in Christchurch 41

ABSTRACT 5

INTRODUCTION 8

9design proposition4. The Event Corridor 77

4.1 Urban Strategy 80

4.2 Design Methodology 86

4.3 Circulation 96

4.4 Infrastructures 98

5. A River Market in Dallington 103

7. Invitation from the Nature - Cockayne Reserve Walkway 123

CONCLUSION 134

APPENDIX 137

BIBLIOGRAPHY 151

6. Amazing Race at Kerrs Reach Sports Park 115

PART TWO

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INTRODUCTION

This thesis investigates the potential inherent in Christchurch in its transitional rebuilding phase, with the end aim of restoring a sense of community. The thesis champions transitional city projects in order to encourage an economically efficient and community-driven rebuilding process in this restorative effort. The thesis argues for a transitional city project as an opportunity for the citys post-quake rebuilding phase to strengthen the future event economy and to invigorate eventfulness within the city.

The focus is on the collaborative event-making process amongst communities, and the subsequent allocation of events. The thesis begins by categorising the types of events in Christchurch and their distribution throughout the whole region. The main site of implementation

is then identified as the Avon River, which flows across Eastern Christchurch, now adjacent to the residential red zone. The river has been noted to be an important site in the new Blueprint Plan proposed by the Christchurch Central Development Unit, which embraces the Avon River corridor as a highly valued amenity space. However, current proposals do not encompass the river regions beyond the CBD. Because the Avon River is an iconic feature of the city and has a history of associated use throughout its length, extending the scope of these proposals out to the eastern river streams will not only be a good case study for revitalization of the economy and community, but also instigate bottom-up influences brought about by the localization of developments to the vicinity of the citizens.

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The design proposition renews the river banks by assigning new event programmes in the form of an event corridor with the association of transitional city projects. The riverside sites possess the potential for development, allowing for investigations into possible design solutions that will reflect and utilize its historical attributes. This idea of showcasing the site history is important, considering the concerning pace of demolitions and loss of architectural heritage spreading throughout Christchurch.The vehicle for this exploration is a series of case studies on three sites intentionally chosen for their respective characteristics. Each site is identified according to its primary use, and its historical significance.

The ultimate aim of these case studies reflects the virtues of transitional city projects to foster a wider involvement of its people and to promote citizen participation as a primary force in the restoration of Eastern suburbs.Furthermore, the thesis challenges the conventional attitudes regarding event venues and their operation as being strictly permanent in nature. Counterintuitive to the permanency of event facilities, the transitional city projects that are core to this thesis introduces the idea that events may operate as a continuous work-in-progress towards the more permanent restorations to come. By designing prerequisite infrastructures that reflect the formerly investigated site attributes and historical virtues, as well as taking into consideration future use as purposeful event spaces, the proposition can be

effectively delivered to real environments with pragmatic supplements.The aim of the design process is not only to create a new event space, but also to provide versatile yet purpose-effective infrastructures that would contribute to event-making processes throughout different occasions. In light of these investigations, the design and its underlying grid is inspired by a confetti concept that optimizes both the respective individuality of site characteristics and the holistic continuity of the river area. The idea of the event corridor is to create architecture that encourages public engagement and participation, and lets the people be the spine of the rebuilding process. Hence, the architecture becomes not only the result but the framework that guides the process in a bottom-up manner.

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The second part of the thesis explores the role of architecture in the transitional restoration phase by proposing an event corridor along the Avon River, supplemented by a series of case studies on three chosen sites. The idea of an event corridor consists of a series of transitional city projects that take place along the river banks. This design exploration expects to see how the adoption of transitional city projects would encourage community involvement, in both the field of event participation, and subsequently, the rebuilding process.

This thesis consists of two parts: the research and the design proposition. The first part of the thesis starts with a comprehensive understanding of the current political issues and events in Christchurch. It also defines transitional city projects and analyses exemplary cases of these projects. A precedent study on the San Antonio River Walk is also undertaken for its successful approaches in creating an eventful and interactive space. An analysis of how these approaches are applicable to the Christchurch context is further explored.

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1. Aftermath: Since the Earthquake

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1.1 Experience Economy

A collective of research theses, Future Christchurch 2012, at the Auckland School of Architecture, aimed to develop a strategic urban plan for Christchurch by starting with economic research and teasing out possible catalysts for growth (Young, 2012). The project covered six areas of research about the economy in Christchurch, and derived an urban strategy that could in some way stimulate investment in the city (Young, 2012).This thesis builds on one of those areas of research, Erica Austins The Experience Economy (Austin, 2012), which investigated how events could provide an economic strategy for the recovery of Christchurch and act as a catalyst for regenerating Christchurchs economy. Austin showed that, in the aftermath of the earthquakes, the tourism economy of the Canterbury region has suffered, resulting in a significant drop in the tourism share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and thus indicating that Christchurch needs activities and events to help rebuild its economy.

The term experience economy was first proposed by Pine and Gilmore, who described tourism as one of the fastest growing economic sectors of the world (Pine & Gilmore, 2011). They argue that tourists contributions would create a multiplier effect on secondary sectors, such as the development of hospitality and retail shops (Austin, 2012). Pine and Gilmour also argue that consumers are looking for additional experiences to the existing services provided by the tourism economy. The argument is developed further by Richard and Palmer who assert that there is a shift in the focus of global tourism, which is expressed by the idea of an eventful city: a richly enabling environment with unique opportunities for culturally expressive events, rather than simply a city with events. They propose events as a way of defining the city and providing a catalyst for the process of place-making (Richards & Palmer, 2010).Austins Experience Economy thesis proposes the transitional city of post-quake Christchurch as being an unprecedented opportunity for enriching the citys eventfulness. By designing transitional city projects that populate the city at different times and locations, the economy would not rely on tourism alone, but promote eventfulness as a system that is implemented throughout the urban fabric (Austin, 2012). It is a step towards promoting Christchurch as a connected city, full of innovation and collaboration between creative initiatives and people and ultimately, improving the holistic quality of life of the citizens.

Austin argues for a bottom-up process (Austin, 2012), incorporating participation among citizens, mainly volunteers, in order to generate sufficient events to stimulate the growth of Christchurch. This is opposed to the notion of a top down approach, incorporating

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EXPERIENCE ECONOMY

CONSUMERTOURISM ECONOMY

(Tourist and Visitors)

PRODUCERSYMBOLIC ECONOMY

(Cultural Activities/Events)

Experience Production

Prosumption and Cocreat

ion

Figure 1. Relationship between Experience Economy, Tourism and Symbolic Economy (Austin, 2012).

government-led executive, decision making. Austin also advocates taking advantage of the emerging arts initiatives in Christchurch to create a more ideal experience economy (Austin, 2012). By working with local residents and creative arts industries, more projects can start to re-activate vacant sites during the restoration and reconstruction phase (Young, 2013).

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1.2 Earthquake Damage

Figure 2.Devastated Christchurch Cathedral under repair.

The earthquakes that struck Christchurch in September 2010 and February 2011 damaged approximately 75% of the buildings and infrastructure in the central business district (CBD). Historical masonry, brick and stone buildings such as the Arts Centre and the Christchurch Cathedral were also heavily damaged. Modern buildings, such as the Christchurch Town Hall, were also badly damaged, requiring up to $127.5 million for the restoration and retention of the Town Hall alone (Conway, 2013).It has been estimated that approximately 10,000 earthquake damaged homes may be lost, and another 100,000 of the citys 140,000 houses are to be repaired (Watkins, 2011).It is not only the CBD that has been devastated, but also the eastern part of Christchurch, particularly the residential areas. In some parts, there will be total demolition of all the buildings due to changed land conditions and future flooding risks. A large proportion of residential property in the area has been designated a Red Zone, meaning the land has been so badly damaged by the earthquakes that it is unlikely that it can be rebuilt to last for a prolonged period (CERA, 2013a).

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Figure 3. The restoration and rebuild of the Arts Centre is currently taking place.

Figure 4. The Oden Theatre was severely damaged, and only the front of the building is protected by a stack of shipping containers placed in Tuam Street.

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Figure 5.New Regent Street and devastated building behind.

Figure 6.Contaminated Avon River in the eastern suburb.

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Figure 7. St Pauls School and Parish Church in Dallington (Stuff.co.nz, 2010).

Figure 8.St Pauls RC Church in Dallington (Davee, 2010).

Nearly two thirds of Dallington, one of the eastern suburbs of Christchurch, has been designated a residential red zone, and houses close to the Avon River have been seriously affected by liquefaction and flooding. Damage in the area also resulted in the loss of St Pauls School and St Pauls Church, leaving associated community groups without places to gather (Christchurch City Council, 2012b).The areas subject to the unstable living conditions have experienced an increase in the number of adults suffering from depression, instigated by the on-going nature of repairs and rebuilding - visual reminders of that which has been lost, and an uncertainty of their future. These also seem to be correlated to an increase in criminal activities, such as vandalism, burglary and graffiti, which continue to impact the remaining residents (Christchurch City Council, 2012b). There are currently 747 houses in the Red Zone, and a majority of those adjacent have been identified as Technical Category Three (TC3) (Christchurch City Council, 2012b). Technical Category 3 (TC3) indicates that moderate to significant land damage from liquefaction is possible with future earthquakes, and that site-specific geotechnical investigations and specific engineering foundation designs are required (CERA, 2011).

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Figure 9. Abandoned houses - visual reminders of what has been lost.

Figure 10. Abandoned houses - the foundation was damaged due to liquefaction (Joo, 2013).

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Figure 11. Kerrs Reach Porritt Park Rowing Club.

Avondale was one of the areas most severely affected by both the September 2010 and the February 2011 earthquakes. Significant lateral spreading and liquefaction throughout the suburb caused severe damage to roads, houses and businesses, especially alongside the Avon River on the northern and north-western parts of the area. Two schools in this area have experienced damage and reduced enrolments, as children have moved to neighbouring schools, or have moved elsewhere with their families. The remaining schools and local sporting groups have opened their facilities to community classes and meetings due to damage to other venues and facilities in the central and eastern suburbs (Christchurch City Council, 2012a).The foot bridge connecting Avondale to Kerrs Reach, the boathouses at Kerrs Reach, and the hockey field at Porritt Park were also irrevocably damaged - resulting in a further loss of community facilities. Sporting activity was also disrupted due to the contamination of the river and the extensively incapacitated sewers (Christchurch City Council, 2012a).

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Figure 12.Porritt Park Hockey Club field is currently closed.

Figure 13. The river water is contaminated due to discharged wastewaters after the earthquakes.

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1.3 The Avon River

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Figure 14. The history of the Avon River.

The Avon River is a source of life and a link to past ancestors and their ways of life (Christchurch City Libraries, n.d.). It has been recognised as a highly significant waterway, even before the European settlers arrived. Its Maori name, tkaro, meaning the place of a game, was named after the children who played on the riverbanks as the food gathering work was being done (Christchurch City Libraries, n.d.). Ptiki (flounder) were speared, eels, tuna, ducks, whitebait (inaka) and native trout were also caught (Christchurch City Libraries, n.d.). Since the days of the early European settlers, tkaro was renamed Avon by the Deans brothers, who brought English characteristics to the riverbanks with neat lawns, gardens and trees. A number of boatsheds were built along the river trail and it was home to both competitive rowing and recreational boating (Wilson, Shaw-Brown, & Walker, 2007). The Canterbury Rowing Club was thus established near the Fitzgerald Avenue corner in 1841 and people from all over Canterbury came for rowing regattas between the Fitzgerald and Stanmore Bridges. The place is still popular for kayakers and paddlers today.The Avon River is also a backbone for community gathering and a vibrant event space. Events held in the area included religious healing ceremonies, the aforementioned recreational boating and rowing events, and even a parade of circus elephants. Punting on the Avon is also a popular tourist attraction and the river has long been recognised as a home for many sporting activities, as well as being a natural reserve with abundant wild resources. It is an asset for the whole city of Christchurch and the residents living in this area hold strong community values and an attachment to the Avon River - a key landscape feature and resource in their neighbourhood.

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pedestrians

local artists & performers

building codes

bus exchange

performance venues

green spaces

cafs & restaurants

walkways

peopleshopping

mixed use buildingsgreen

CathedralSquare

rail/tram

entertainment

tourism

sports & recreation

learning

socialising

safetymemorials

free Wi-Fi

Avon Rivertkaro

laneways

architectural design

specialised retail

day/night markets

produce markets

boutique shopping

separate cycle lanes

parking

eco-friendly

aordable public transport

small shops

commercial initiatives

riverside features

fewer cars

malls

precincts

buses

cycling building heights

squarescentral city living

lighting

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Tuam St

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Worcester St

Gloucester St

Armagh St

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Figure 15. The Blueprint Plan, illustrative concept of the Avon River Precinct and Share and Idea campaign (CERA, 2012).

The new Blueprint Plan proposed by Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU), embraces the Avon River corridor as a highly valued amenity space (CERA, 2012). Its Avon River Precinct plan proposes several concepts of continuous journey and sensory experience that can be had along the river. The plan states that the river will be a recreational destination within central Christchurch. It is easily accessed from adjoining streets, precincts and parks, and the continued path along both banks of the tkaro/Avon River would encourage people to explore with minimum disruption from traffic (CERA, 2012). Furthermore, the river park would facilitate a place for people to relax and enjoy life within the city complex, providing links to other green spaces. Collectively, it becomes a platform for the citys cultures to be celebrated (CERA, 2013b).

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Figure 16. A river view from the Beverley Park. The Avon River is an outstanding natural feature for the city of Christchurch and has a history of associated use. In spite of this, these historical values associated with the river are progressively being neglected and encroached upon by surrounding roads and traffic.

By involving an extension of the Avon River Precinct out to the eastern river stream, the community and the event economy can be revitalised with the employment of an event corridor. The level of eventfulness will also be further synergized with a sense of continuity along the event-filled area.

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1.4 The Avon River Residential Red Zone

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Figure 17. The Avon River Residential Red Zone.

1.4.1 Current Plans of Existing Initiatives

In June 2011, the government announced that more than 5000 homes have to be demolished within the residential red zone that tracks east from the CBD along the banks of the Avon River. The reason for abandoning red-zoned land was that it is too damaged to be economically remediated for residential redevelopment at present. This left many residents displaced and communities decimated (AvON, 2011a).Since the announcement, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, has indicated that the land needs to be cleared, fenced and grassed, whilst still pending a decision on its long-term future (AvON, 2011a). The government has started to buy up the empty sections and land within the red zone areas but there are some 124 property owners who have declined the government offer (Morrison, 2013).

Nonetheless, some official steps were taken in spite of the absence of clear indications regarding the future of this residential red zone area. Environment Canterbury released a Land Use Recover Plan (LURP) and a Natural Environment Recovery Programme (NERP), both of which touch on the residential red zone lands (Stuff.co.nz, 2013). Also, Christchurch City Council is consulting on its Three-Year Plan, which proposes spending $6.4 million on an "Avon River Park" (Christchurch City Council, 2013). The governments announcement leaves the possibility that some of the land may be remediated and redeveloped for residential use in the long term (AvON, 2011a).

Based on the Share an Idea campaign (Christchurch City Council, 2011), public feedback identified: community input into the future of the city; a greening of the city; continuous parklands along the banks of the tkaro/Avon River from source to sea extensive cycle and walkways along the river

The ideas listed above are featured prominently in the central city plan, particularly in relation to the Papawai Otakaro/Avon River Park project and green frame (AvON, 2011a). The incorporation of these design considerations as extensions along the eastern river banks would also be conducive of a more active community engagement facilitated by these event-friendly public spaces.

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Figure 18.Devastated eastern residential houses and local amenities (Joo, 2013).

Figure 19.Avon River view from Oxford Terrace.

More ideas also emerged from scientists, communities and interest groups, diversely spanning across many different activities and plans for the areas (AvON, 2011b). People want to make a better Christchurch. They "work tirelessly to make something wonderful in the future", says Avon-tkaro Network co-chair, Mark Gibson. "It's not a race, it's a journey and an experience" (Stuff.co.nz, 2013).

Amongst the recurring motif of ideas voiced by community are: the red zone as a park, a wetland, a recreational paradise - crisscrossed with walking and cycling trails. Also mentioned is the provision of markets, heritage gardens, floating cafes, boatsheds, a world-class rowing facility, and a yacht club (Stuff.co.nz, 2013).

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Figure 20. A collection of words of the Avon Rivers vision (AvON, 2011).

1.4.2 River Side Community

Avon-tkaro Network (AvON)

One of the significant and active river side communities is the Avon-tkaro Network (AvON). The vision of AvON is to promote the future use of the Avon River and the surrounding red zone lands as an ecological and recreational reserve for the community.(AvON, 2011a)The groups aim is to create a place of hope and inspiration for the people of Christchurch by restoring health and vitality to the river and its lands.(AvON, 2011a)

More than 95% of those responding to a Facebook question indicated the tkaro/Avon River red zone land should become a park/reserve and more than 18,000 people signed a petition to Parliament to this effect. As for the need of specific recovery planning, the community group works hard to focus on the potential restoration of the tkaro as it is urgent and interrelated to the quality of life of residents (AvON, 2011b).

AvON project teams aim to turn submitted petitions into reality. The AvON helps by providing a structure and resources, and putting teams with similar or complementary projects in touch so they can work together more effectively (AvON, 2011a).

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Spring River Festival 2012

Spring River Festival is an annual event that takes place during Labour weekend on the lower Avon corridor, estuary and beaches. It is coordinated by Avon-takaro Network (AvON) and many supporters including the Christchurch City Council (CCC), CERA and Rebuild Christchurch Foundation. The festival is a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate the eastern waterways and recognise the importance of the Avon-takaro River and estuary. Forty different recreational and community events entertain people and support the communities affected by the quakes. It is also an opportunity to promote businesses along the lower Avon corridor so the festival restores confidence in the recovery of the east. Through this celebration of beloved waterways, people imbue their visions for the future with hope and aspiration (Spring River, 2012).

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Figure 21. Spring River Festival 2013 (AvON, 2013).

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Figure 22. Spring River Festival 2013 (AvON, 2013).

Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust

The Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust (AHEIT, the Trust) is a non-profit organisation formed by residents and supported by Christchurch City Council (CCC) and community funders. The purpose of the Trust is to coordinate and ensure that the management of the Estuary enhances and maintains the special character and natural values of the Estuary for everyone.(Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust, 2013).

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1.5 Quality of Life of Residents

*Caution small base sizesBase: All Respondents (excluding not answered)

Total (n=566) 3 18 44 28 7

Shirley-Papanui(n=90) 2 20 46 24 9

Fendalton-Waimairi(n=89) 4 20 39 35 3

Burwood-Pegasus(n=87) 2 17 39 31 11

Riccarton-Wigram(n=115) 2 20 56 20 2

Hagley-Ferrymead(n=77) 4 16 39 31 9

Spreydon-Heathcote (n=96) 4 17 45 46 8

Banks Peninsula(n=12)* 14 19 25 32 11

Increased signicantly

Decreased to some extent

Increased to some extent

Decreased signicantly

Stayed about the same

Figure 23.Quality of Life Compared to 12 Months Ago by Ward (Christchurch) survey graph (Jamieson, 2012).

The Quality of Life Survey, conducted in 2012, showed that only two thirds of Christchurch residents were satisfied with their lives, in general. Just over a third of Christchurch residents responded that their quality of life had decreased, either significantly or to some extent, within the last 12 months (Nielsen, 2013). The survey indicated that a sense of community with neighbours was important for Christchurch residents, as many felt isolated by the lack of socialisation with family and friends, and the lack of events happening in their local neighbourhood. The same survey held in 2010 rated family as one of the three main components that contribute to the residents quality of life.

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Figure 24.Reason for lack of sense of community (Christchurch) survey graph (Jamieson, 2012).

Base: Those who do not feel a sense of community (excluding not answered) (n=81)

I prefer to socialise with familyand friends instead of neighbours

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There is a lack of events or things happeningwithin my local neighbourhood

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My busy life (including work, famliy and friends) leaveslimited or no time to build a sense of community with

my neighbours or to get to know them32

People in my neighbourhood dont talk with each other 37

My neighbours are not my type of people 30

I like to keep to myself 19

My neighbours are not friendly 17

There are new people in the local neighbourhood whohave recently arrived and I dont know them that well or

at all10

Other 10

I prefer to socialise with groups and networks (otherthan family

and friends) that are not based in my neighbourhood6

Reasons for Lack of Sense of Community (Christchurch) (%)

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Figure 25.Christchurch residents way of seeing the city.

Figure 26.Christchurch CBD under restoring process.

It was apparent that the earthquakes affected the residents way of seeing the city. According to the report, residents were less likely to see the city as a great place, or to feel any sense of pride when they observed the loss of the city environment and fatal damage made to local communities and residential areas. Correlated responses from the report rated significantly lower than those of the other six cities in the nation. In addition, most Christchurch residents were involved in a diverse range of social networks and groups (Jamieson, 2013), thus the loss of sporting facilities and community centres were critical. Only the presence of parks and green space remained as a key motivation to feel any sense of pride for the city (Jamieson, 2013).

Overall, the surveys show an urgent need for community focal points and local events in order to improve the quality of life of Christchurch residents.

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2. Events in Christchurch

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2.1 Christchurch Event Strategy

Christchurch had a busy events calendar with a combination of community-oriented events and a range of visitor-oriented events (Christchurch City Council, 2006). Because Christchurch had some of the best venues in the country, the city was able to attract national and international events, concerts and festivals. In spite of this, only very few major events attracted visitors to the city, post-quake, and it is one of the key challenges to overcome, as outlined in the Events Strategy 2007~2017.

The strategys vision is: Our events inspire passion for the lifestyle qualities and identity of Christchurch (Christchurch City Council, 2006), and its guiding principles are as stated:

- Events are accessible for residents and visitors- Events reflect the diversity of people and communities in Christchurch- Christchurch events meet Community Outcomes- Events are embraced by all sections of Council- Council and all stakeholders in the events sector will work together to produce some of the best events in New Zealand- Our focus is on getting the right mix of quality and quantity of events- Our events will strengthen the distinctive features, lifestyle and culture of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula

The overall intention was to strengthen the distinctive identities and lifestyle qualities of Christchurch (Christchurch City Council, 2006). Even though the earthquakes struck the city and resulted in many structural losses, the vision is still relevant to the current context.

The strategy also highlighted how events in Christchurch play a major role in the revitalisation of economy through strong community support and satisfaction of events, a strong and growing events sector, and an established track record with events (Christchurch City Council, 2006).

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Figure 27.Ellerslie International Flower Show (Stuff.co.nz, 2013).

A successful example of an international event hosted by the council is the annual Ellerslie International Flower Show. The show was purchased (originally from Auckland) by the Christchurch council in November 2007 to enhance the citys international reputation as New Zealands garden city (Christchurch City Council, 2012c). The show is expected to attract a growing number of visitors and residents during the season, and also supports the grassroots of the gardening industry with a strong focus on community involvement (Christchurch City Council, 2012d). The show is well known for its high quality flower displays and has been credited for enhancing the garden city identity (Christchurch City Council, 2012c).

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2.2 Event Programmes and Distribution

Figure 28. Photos and logos of events in Christchurch.

School holiday Carnival Fair at New Brighton beach. Busking at Re:Start Mall.

Performance at Re:Start Mall. Quake City exhibition.

There are many events happening in Christchurch, from community-driven events to major events like Worlds buskers festival.

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C I T Y E V E N T

G L O B A L E V E N T

L O C A L E V E N T

Dunkleys Great NZ CRAFT SHOWMid-Winter Readings

Christchurch Farmers MarketSunday Artisan Market

Go Potty Storytime Adventures

Musical Performance 3 Day Workshop

Freddys 3 Fat Fairies- The Movie

Beadalicious Fashion Accessories

Red Riding Hood - The Untold Story

Winter Wearable Art with Creative Junk

Touch Drawing

Chillout Tunes

Canterbury North Girl Guiding NZ Try It Day

Survive! Winter in the Gardens

Holy Trinity Avonside Community Fair

Waterfront ConcertKite Fest on the BeachSand Painting on the Beach

New Brighton Community MarketYouth Market & Buskers

Food@Home

Jump Jam Jamboree

Travis Sunday Stroll for Families

Stand up Paddle(SUP) Boarding Lessons

Boulevard Arts Market

Free Family Movie

Africa Day 50th Anniversary

Tots & Toddlers Market

Aidaneld Christian School Fair

Canterbury A&P Show

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Shadow Puppet Show

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki StorytimesMatariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

New Zealand IcefestWorld Buskers Festival

The Christchurch Toy Fair

Christchurch Brick Show

Ellerslie International Flower Show

Christchurch Airport Marathon

NZ 2013 Bachata Festival (Latin Annual Event)

New Zealands Got TalentDisney on Ice presents Princesses and Heroes

Christchurch Symphony Orchestra Kids

CSO presents Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Mood Sandwich: Outer Spaces Artwork

B-Town Rocksteady

Air Force Junior Pilot ExperienceThe Golden Age of Hollywood

Christchurch Puppet Festival

NASDA presents Joseph KCamp Blood: Outer Spaces Artwork

Lets Celebrate South Canterbury Festival

Bike Barn Scoot & SkateCheapskates Canterbury Skateboarding Regionals

National Bear & Doll Show

Lower Avon Heritage Trail

Singapore Airlines StarFestWinter Wonderland Costume Ball

River of Flowers

River of Flowers

River of Flowers

River of Flowers

River of Flowers

River of Flowers

River of Flowers

Avon River WalkDancing in the Dome`

More FM Twilight Lantern ParadeFestival of Flower - The Garden City Gorgeous

River of FlowersRiver of Flowers

2 kmAs of June 2013

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Figure 29. Map of event distribution in Christchurch. The trend of Eastern Gap is obvious.

C I T Y E V E N T

G L O B A L E V E N T

L O C A L E V E N T

Dunkleys Great NZ CRAFT SHOWMid-Winter Readings

Christchurch Farmers MarketSunday Artisan Market

Go Potty Storytime Adventures

Musical Performance 3 Day Workshop

Freddys 3 Fat Fairies- The Movie

Beadalicious Fashion Accessories

Red Riding Hood - The Untold Story

Winter Wearable Art with Creative Junk

Touch Drawing

Chillout Tunes

Canterbury North Girl Guiding NZ Try It Day

Survive! Winter in the Gardens

Holy Trinity Avonside Community Fair

Waterfront ConcertKite Fest on the BeachSand Painting on the Beach

New Brighton Community MarketYouth Market & Buskers

Food@Home

Jump Jam Jamboree

Travis Sunday Stroll for Families

Stand up Paddle(SUP) Boarding Lessons

Boulevard Arts Market

Free Family Movie

Africa Day 50th Anniversary

Tots & Toddlers Market

Aidaneld Christian School Fair

Canterbury A&P Show

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Shadow Puppet Show

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki StorytimesMatariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

Matariki Storytimes

New Zealand IcefestWorld Buskers Festival

The Christchurch Toy Fair

Christchurch Brick Show

Ellerslie International Flower Show

Christchurch Airport Marathon

NZ 2013 Bachata Festival (Latin Annual Event)

New Zealands Got TalentDisney on Ice presents Princesses and Heroes

Christchurch Symphony Orchestra Kids

CSO presents Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Mood Sandwich: Outer Spaces Artwork

B-Town Rocksteady

Air Force Junior Pilot ExperienceThe Golden Age of Hollywood

Christchurch Puppet Festival

NASDA presents Joseph KCamp Blood: Outer Spaces Artwork

Lets Celebrate South Canterbury Festival

Bike Barn Scoot & SkateCheapskates Canterbury Skateboarding Regionals

National Bear & Doll Show

Lower Avon Heritage Trail

Singapore Airlines StarFestWinter Wonderland Costume Ball

River of Flowers

River of Flowers

River of Flowers

River of Flowers

River of Flowers

River of Flowers

River of Flowers

Avon River WalkDancing in the Dome`

More FM Twilight Lantern ParadeFestival of Flower - The Garden City Gorgeous

River of FlowersRiver of Flowers

2 kmAs of June 2013

The distribution of events within Christchurch is highly focused in the CBD with a secondary dispersion across the western suburbs. As mentioned in Austins thesis, the trend of Eastern Gap(Austin, 2012) is obvious as shown on Figure 29. This thesis suggests there is an opportunity for events to be located across the whole Christchurch region to encourage participation from diverse community groups and to enhance the quality of life.

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2.3 Precedent Study: San Antonio River Walk, Texas, USA

Figure 30, 31. San Antonio River Walk.

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Figure 32. San Antonio River Basin (San Antonio River Authority, 2103).

The San Antonio River Walk is a public park, open 365 days a year. It is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River designated with four different sections of themes and programmes. The River Walk is an important part of the city's urban fabric and a tourist attraction.

The San Antonio River begins four miles north of the city centre, fed by springs that rise from the Edwards Aquifer deep below the Texas Hill Country. The river is also fed by tributaries along its winding, south-easterly course to join the Guadalupe River near the Gulf of Mexico. After the Spanish established a permanent settlement in San Antonio in 1718, missions, forts, and homes were built close to the river that provided water for agricultural and household use.

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Figure 33. The Hugman Dam was a part of the river development project.

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The San Antonio River became a trash filled eyesore in the early 1900s. City leaders rallied to save the waterway by clearing away mud and debris, planting grass, and pumping water into the empty channel. Soon, the civic organisations called for more ambitious river improvements. The vision of a lushly landscaped river was proposed by local architects but was at odds with engineers who preferred flood channels without vegetation (Paseo del Rio, 2013a).

In 1941, efforts to beautify the river culminated with the dedication of a major Works Progress Administration project in downtown San Antonio. Architect Robert Hugman was in charge of the project. The River Walk became the defining feature of downtown San Antonio. It remained a quiet linear park until HemisFair68 attracted new hotels, shops, and restaurants. Thirty years after the fair, planning began for the San Antonio River Improvements Project to extend the River Walk beyond the downtown area, creating a thirteen-mile greenbelt (Paseo del Rio, 2013a). In the early 21st century, a length of thirteen miles extensions was made to north and south of the city centre.

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Figure 34. Map of the River Walk (San Antonio River Authority, 2013).

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The River Walk comprises four different sections stretched out to both north and south from downtown.

The Museum Reach section was completed north of downtown in 2009. The 1.33 mile extension feature pedestrian access to the San Antonio Museum of Art with visual and aural works of art, terraces landscaped with native plants.

The Downtown Reach section is where the River Walk winds and loops under bridges as two parallel sidewalks, lined with restaurants, shops and hotels (Paseo del Rio, 2013b). It guides the tourists from the downtown city centre to major tourist attractions such as the Alamo Missions, River Centre Mall and the San Antonio Museum of Art.

To the south, the one-mile Eagleland section incorporates ecosystem restoration, a walking path and hike and bike trails.

The Mission Reach section due to be completed in 2013, extends eight miles from Lone Star Boulevard to Mission Espada. Key to this segment is restoration of the river and its banks for aquatic life and wildlife, along with construction of 15 miles of recreational trails, picnic and seating areas, pedestrian bridges, pavilions and portals to four Spanish colonial missionsConcepcin, San Jos, San Juan and Espada (City of San Antonio, 2013).

The San Antonio River Walk has become one of Americas unique urban amenities.

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Figure 35. San Antonio River Walk - On the way to the Museum Reach.

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Figure 36. San Antonio River Walk - the Downtown Reach and the Rivercenter Mall.

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Figure 37. The Museum Reach development proposal - before and after (SWA Group, 2001).

2.3.1 San Antonio River Improvements Project

San Antonio River is experiencing a radical transformation since the announcement of the River Walk Improvements Project. The $358.3 million(USD) improvements project is expected to have benefits, from increased economic development to cultural resources and recreational opportunities connecting neighbourhoods and communities (San Antonio River Authority, 2013). Also the project aims to provide stable flood control while reclaiming the rivers natural meanders and celebrating the historic significance in the life of San Antonio.

The goal of San Antonio River Improvements Project representatives is:to reach consensus among ourselves and within the community in support of a program of improvements to the San Antonio River that are consistent with the highest standards of technical and design criteria, respect and address the needs of all segments of the river, and improve the quality of life for all its citizens.(SWA Group, 2001)

The economic investment aims to stimulate new development and raise property values along the river thus creating a more desirable living and working environment for area residents (San Antonio River Authority, 2013). The improvements project also aims to fulfil the enhancement of quality of life through improving recreational opportunities which reinforces a sense of community (San Antonio River Authority, 2013). Design solutions of the project reintroduce native trees, grasses and plant life along the rivers edge; also cultural connections along the river which enhance appreciation of the rivers historic significance as well as identifying the citys character.

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Figure 38. San Antonio River Improvements Project benefits (San Antonio River Authority, 2013).

Environmental restoration Economic development

Recreational opportunity Cultural connections

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Figure 39. San Antonio River Walk has an abundance of activated spaces with its fence-free roads and interactive activities.

Punting extension, maybe?

2.3.2 Evaluation

Over 20 major events take place on the River Walk every year (Paseo del Rio, 2013b) and it is an on-going project that is expected to provide a more accessible and unique sensory environment for people.

The river improvements project aims to ease tension and encourages the creation of a framework for future changes (Beaty Palmer Architects, 2008). Unlike the Downtown Reach at the centre, Mission Reach (to the south), and Museum Reach (north), reveal a great difference in terms of existing conditions due to differing amounts of development that have occurred. The river improvements project is aiming to give balanced attention to the differing conditions. This is comparable to the Avon River condition, where the inner city Avon River Park Precinct Project has been announced, and has started its construction process, whereas the eastern part of the river has been totally neglected from any future agendas.

San Antonio river walk has an abundance of activated spaces, especially with its fence-free roads which promote the spontaneous merging of visitors into the context, and also its interactive activities, such as the Rio Taxi boat. The proportions of the area are sensitive to human scale, integrating various experiences and providing a unique ambience that would eventually attract more visitors. The design incorporates an interactive moment between the users and the existing river walk environment. The liveliness of the river walk is created through the events and activities, infrastructure, and the nature of the river. Demonstrating this, the Rio Taxi boat serves as one of the most successful tourist attractions in this area, stopping at over 39 locations along the river walk and providing a unique experience opportunity. This is comparable to the currently established and renowned attraction of Punting on the Avon which shows potential to extend its services further out to the eastern stream.

Additionally, San Antonio river walk is successful for its endeavour to preserve both historic monuments and modern architectural scenes. The Spanish Mission architecture and modern architecture are well blended with each other and emphasise the characteristics of San Antonio Citys tourism epicentre. Visitors can perceive the history of San Antonio through various attractions and amenities, like bridges, restaurants and a small amphitheatre, which retain unique architectural styles. The idea of recreating memories

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Fence-free roads

Rio Taxi boat attraction

The open-air theatre, Arneson Theatre in the middle of performance

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Figure 40. San Antonio river walk is successful for its endeavour to preserve both historic monuments and modern architectural scenes.

Amphitheatre Arneson Theatre with Spanish ornaments

River scene with modern architectural scenes (modern villa and high-rises) Modern bridge crossing above the river stream

Spanish arch bridging across the river walk

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of historic architectural heritage can be implemented in the Christchurch context, which is suffering from the loss of historical identity.

One such idea which has been proposed regarding the rivers future use, The Lower Avon Heritage Recovery Trail focuses on the historical significance of the Avon River and its identity as a garden city (Madgin, 2011). It requires the citys commitment to restore and protect architecture accommodating the gardens and their history on the sites along the Avon. Discussions over the preservation of several Christchurch homes in the residential red zone also raised the possibility of using them as memorial sites (Gates, 2013).

The San Antonio event programmes focus on the character, ambience and unique experience of the river walk, which in turn is expected to instigate wider, downstream implications on the quality of life of residents (Zakaria El Adli Imam, 2006). It is highly visible, energetic and attractive cultural activities and events that are instantly appealing to tourism policy-makers. Hence for city councils, events are conducive of an improved reputation, as it is frequently argued that attractive appearances are required in order to appeal to not only tourists, but also to inward investors, community groups and creative initiatives (Stevenson & Matthews, 2012).

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3. Transitional City Project

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3.1 What is Transitional?

It can be argued that Christchurch has been a transitional city throughout its entire history. Change has been a constant feature from the moment the first Polynesians arrived, to the first European arrival, to the years following World War II, which witnessed the return of soldiers and the suburban expansion of the city (Bennett, 2012).

A lexical meaning of transition is the change or passage from one state or stage to another (Collins English Dictionary, 2013). The transition currently happening in Christchurch is a unique response to the quake-ravaged city. Within this scene is a sense of uncanny familiarity (where the city barely maintains its traces of past, there is also a sense of novelty in the ruins. The city is again in a transition with landmarks fast disappearing and new types of places occupying empty sites) (Bennett, 2012). In spite of this uncanny nature of the city, the city also tries to return to a simple everyday life that its residents are accustomed to living in. As a response, most of the transitional city projects are realisations of simple ideas: a place to play sport, or a shop or a bar to meet friends (Bennett, 2012).

The emergence of the Transitional City Project in Christchurch is very unique in this sense. It is the peoples response towards the earthquake devastation and a vehicle that is conducive to the citys recovery process by encouraging a wider sense of citizen participation. This is an evocative bottom-up approach that calls for participation among citizens, mainly volunteers and incorporation with the council too.

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Christchurch City Council is the main funder of the transitional city projects which aims to bring life back into the city with a range of transitional city projects (Christchurch City Council, 2012e). The Council defines transitional city projects as temporary projects in public spaces that improve the central city environment while the city is rebuilt (Christchurch City Council, 2012e).

The council also expressed that Life is being brought back to Christchurchs central city with a range of transitional city projects to test new ideas and explore new concepts to bring people, business and investment back to the area (Christchurch City Council, 2012e).

The importance of including community development processes that shape the city have also been noted and are reflected in the workflow of the transitional city projects. With the council at the forefront of process, transitional city projects will push Christchurch forward for a collaborative planning process of the city environment. Hence, transitional can be defined as an on-going process of city fabrication and outlines a design proposal which allows for a simultaneously cooperative and collaborative community driven process. The thesis asserts that transitional city projects are unique opportunities for the city in its post-quake rebuild period to strengthen Christchurchs future event economy, as well as improving the quality of life of residents.

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3.2 Transitional City Project

Figure 41. Transitional City Projects by Gap Filler (Dance-O-Mat, Gap golf).

The uniqueness about a transitional city project is its complete cooperation between various organisations and community groups. For instance, most of the transitional projects that involve collaborations by different groups are supported by two organisations Life in Vacant Spaces and Gap Filler. Life in Vacant Spaces is a council supported organisation that sees the temporary use of vacant space as a key driver for the city, encouraging the productive, temporary use of vacant land and buildings around the city (Life in Vacant Spaces, 2013). Life in Vacant Spaces key role is to help organise the use of land for most of the transitional projects in the central city. Gap Filler, on the other hand, is a charitable trust aiming to establish a new culture of innovation and creativity in activated urban spaces (Gap Filler, 2011). Gap Filler helps to realize ideas for vacant sites to be used for temporary, creative, and people-centred purposes, by handling legal contracts and liability insurances (Gap Filler, 2011).

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Figure 42.Other Transitional City Projects around the city:

1. Cardboard Cathedral by Shigeru Ban (Future Christchurch, 2013);

2. Temporary art work Knit Happens by Jen McBride, on a wall soon to be demolished;

3. I seem to have temporarily misplaced my sense of humour by Wayne Youle;

4. 185 Empty Chairs by Peter & Joyce Majendie on the former CTV site.

1 2

3 4

Despite being less than permanent in nature, transitional city projects demonstrate the importance of encouraging peoples contribution to the citys revitalisation. The city can grow without large capital expenditure, and more importantly, connects people with the city by involving community members and volunteers at every stage of the projects progress (Gap Filler, 2011). Furthermore, such site-specific projects can help the people of Christchurch celebrate, mourn and criticise all that they have lost (Gap Filler, 2011).

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Figure 43.Former Crowne Plaza site, 70 Kilmore Street, CBD.

The site-specificity is well expressed through the Summer Pallet Pavilion project by Gap Filler, which is built on the former Crowne Plaza site (70 Kilmore Street, CBD), well-known for its former use as a public meeting place. The project demonstrates the restoration of vacant sites left over from former facilities in the city and allows such sites to function as a visually engaging, dynamic and evolving space to spend time in. The project design process was successful in championing the collaborative efforts of various communities (Bennett, 2012) and the pavilion has been in high demand for various purposes, from hosting community markets to international buskers festivals.

Its success is seen in the community of voices determined to keep the pavilion standing beyond the summer use timeframe and in the $80,000 raised from local communities (Greenhill, 2013a) and individuals, to keep the pavilion functioning for at least another year.

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Figure 44. Events at the Pallet Pavilion (palletpavilion.com, 2013).

Other transitional city projects, such as the Re:Start container mall and the Cardboard Cathedral by Shigeru Ban, have also attracted international media attention and have collaboratively helped develop the citys transitional architecture tourist route in a synergistic manner (Greenhill, 2013b).

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Another exemplary form of a transitional city project is an annual event scheduled for the labour weekend, known as FESTA (Festival of Transitional Architecture). FESTA started in response to the 22 February 2011 earthquake with an aim to engage people within the central city by exploring urban regeneration through large scale collaborative projects and urban interventions. It is the first and only festival of its kind in the world (FESTA, 2012a).

FESTAs intention is to reintroduce life and urban activity to the centre, populating a number of empty sites within the city. This rediscovery of the inner city invites a variety of collective investigations into the nature of civic life and opens it up to the community's desire to participate in the remaking of their city (FESTA, 2012a). It becomes a new culture, and the movement has adopted the label 'transitional' to reflect the intention that these projects should not only offer immediate renewal but also precede to inform and influence the anticipated long-term 'permanent' recovery of the city (FESTA, 2012a).

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Figure 45. About 20-30,000 people turned up to the LUXCITY 2012 (FESTA, 2012).

LUXCITY was a one-night event as an opening for FESTA in 2012. The collaboration between transitional initiatives (the access licences for the vacant sites were donated by Gap Filler and Life in Vacant Spaces) and over 350 architecture and design students from across New Zealand, saw 16 architectural lighting installations for pop-up activities: bars, cafes, live music and performance venues and a night market. Even though it was only a one-night event, between 20~30,000 people turned up to the first major event in the central city since the February earthquake in 2011. Interactive engagement that happened between people and the central city was projected through the operation of each installation.

74Figure 46. Free Theatre Christchurchs Canterbury Tales (Knopp, 2013).

LUXCITY addressed the potential of transitional projects to stimulate collaboration, explored a range of architectural possibilities, regenerated the central city and created excitement and hope for the city's burgeoning recovery (FESTA, 2012b).

In continuation, FESTA 2013 saw a programme filled with art events, public picnics, urban agriculture, performance and cinema. The theme of FESTA 2013 (A city within a city) continues to reflect focuses on the formation of a temporary cityscape with installations, and reiterates the core purpose of transitional projects in helping to inform the long-term recovery and rebuilding of the city (Niche Media, 2013).

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Figure 47. A part of the procession of giant puppets (Stuff.co.nz, 2013). Figure 48. Agropolis launch at the Festival of Transitional Architecture 2013 (Austin, 2013).

A collaborative exploration of the city was made with participations of various groups: schools in architecture, scenography, design and performance, business/hospitality, and even the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. The theme, a city within a city, was expressed through a temporary cityscape that stretched across the sites of Poplar Lane (where an urban farm was established), a recycled house, and the Free Theatre (Canterbury Tales processional performance) (Anderson, 2013).

The procession of giant puppets marching through the crowds at the finale of the event, symbolically summarizes the interactive experience as a successful collaboration between a diverse range of creative initiatives (FESTA, 2013). Through The Canterbury Tales, FESTA again advocated more collaborative processes to shape out the cityscape and extends its scope from small community gatherings to citywide collaborations.

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3.3 Evaluation

One of the sad transitions happening is that more than 40% of the eastern Christchurch residents have decided to move to western and northern parts of the city, as they are relatively less damaged compared to eastern regions (McCarthy, 2013; Stewart & Gates, 2013). Transitional city projects are responsive to these rapid transitions made within the city environment where people grew up and lived. Therefore, the transitional projects strive to respect and help realize simple ideas that stem from former everyday lives and the persistence of the citys eventful heritage. Hence, transitional city projects intentionally employ a range of community initiated events.

Thus, events associated with transitional city projects are core elements to the rebuilding of the city. They allow for a cooperative and collaborative community driven process that can be applied across the whole of Christchurch, and especially the eastern suburbs, where the need is greatest.

It should be noted that there is great potential for development and utilization of the vacant space particularly along the river. The presence of both active organisations and events in the area already indicate the enormous potential present. The aforementioned organisations, in particular, illustrate the vision of community-based groups to dedicate the land to community and recreation.

As mentioned in earlier chapters, such sense of community is important for Christchurch residents, and an abundance of event opportunities for community groups would enhance the quality of life of residents.

Quake damage has seen the loss and compromise of activities through the decimation of purpose-specific community spaces, leading to a degradation of community identity. Transitional spaces serve to effectively improve the quality of life of residents particularly in this aspect by accommodating the revitalization of such activity spaces in a versatile manner. Subsequently, such projects can expect a positive resurrection of familiar lifestyles within the lives of affected residents and thus restore their quality of life in a way which respects pre-quake lifestyles and minimizes displacement due to an alienating new environment.

Because the transitional city projects mostly consist of community-driven events, the idea is well-adaptable to the banks along the Avon River. Such versatile vacant spaces

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would maximize the instigation of new events whilst relatively keeping more permanent infrastructure setups to a minimum only requiring basic fittings for seating, power supply, paving and so forth.

Transitional architecture would maximize the potential of vacant spaces as they are characterized by versatile and economically efficient constructs which satisfy the key requirements of post-quake Christchurch recovery efforts. They are also largely community driven, allowing for greater self-revitalization efforts that inject a more relatable sense of community identity that perhaps external and more-permanent approaches cannot instil quite as flexibly. It further leads to challenge conventional attitudes regarding event venues. Whilst a permanent venue like the Town Hall may be more appropriate for the long term, transitional architecture is a more appropriate solution during this rebuilding phase, as it provides immediate gathering points and events, essential for rebuilding community. Defining these projects as transitional therefore, resolves the conflict of temporary versus permanent constructs and highlights its purpose as an appropriate stage in the rebuilding process.

So far, these efforts, whilst highly effective in reviving the community, are unfortunately only active within the CBD.. Future efforts may therefore wish to consider permeation throughout the citys suburbs for a truly holistic recovery of the city.

The following design proposition, therefore, effectively challenges competing propositions and effectively maximizes the potential of the vacant space along the river by employing transitional city projects.

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4. The Event Corridor

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The thesis proposes the design of an event corridor along the Avon River and explores the idea by setting up three selected site case studies.

The idea of an event corridor consists of a series of transitional city projects that take place along the river banks and anticipates the provision of a dynamic, eventful experience to the people of Christchurch (including tourists and visitors), across the eastern suburbs. It delivers transitional efforts to the people in their communal regions, and extends the scope of impact of transitional projects beyond the CBD.

It is an approach most appropriate for application in Christchurch, considering the history of the Avon River, in its association with the locals. By adopting the idea of transitional city projects to the Avon River, it would encourage more community involved event opportunities and extend the field of participation.

Subsequently, it would promote and recruit the community effort in being part of the rebuilding process, providing citizens to inject their own influence into the citys recovery according to their values.

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Figure 49. Conceptual sketch of the Avon River event corridor.

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4.1 Urban Strategy

Figure 50. Houses located in the Residential Red Zone will soon to be demolished from the area.

Preserving the heritage and historic evidence is a very sensitive issue in Christchurch. Therefore, the design approach has to be selective in what is to be demolished and what is to be retained. The urban strategy intends to retain and showcase the history of the site rather than remove all former traces of homes. As it was made apparent in the precedent study (the San Antonio River Walk), the idea of preserving the history of the site is important to the context of Christchurch also, especially considering the pace of demolitions across Christchurch. Even though the houses are demolished and their physical footprints are gone, the scale of the town remains the same, reminiscent of the everyday life that used to be there.

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Figure 51. The classification of the existing elements (property boundaries, house footprints and the main roads) is important as it allows for reasonable repurposing in relation to the areas history.

The task of showcasing the areas history is first facilitated by the classification of the existing elements, such as property boundaries, house footprints, and the main riverside road. For the main road on the edge of the riverbank, the design retains its continuity characteristics by only repurposing the vehicle road to a pedestrian walkway and cycle track. Continuing in this design approach, newly assigned event programmes can also be founded upon the already existing property boundaries and footprints. New landscape design features such as footpaths, cycle tracks, lighting and paving, can be integrated to achieve a sense of consistent urban scape continuity across the entire length of the riverbank.

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Figure 52. Current condition of Avon River - classified as Residential Red Zone

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Figure 53. Set 100m influential boundary along the river.

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Figure 54. Three main programme zones are assigned.

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Figure 55. Expected future influence area in the future. The design also intricately works with the defining features of the three zones, which will be described in later chapters; a scenario that offers the linked programmes as one whole storyline but also retains individual characteristics.

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4.2 Design Methodology

Figure 56. The design is inspired by a confetti concept that optimizes both the respective individuality of site characteristics and the holistic continuity of the river area.

The design begins with the intention of expressing the eventfulness through the notion of confetti small pieces of coloured papers and flowers thrown over people at festive occasions. The notion of confetti can be seen as a symbolisation of cooperative unity within diversity. The design sees the concept as an opportunity to recognise each small confetti element as both a unique, individual attribute, and part of a wider collaboration. The idea is realized through a design that incorporates a series of small infrastructures, each categorized for their fundamental purpose in intended event implementation.

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1. 100m x 100m

2. 15m x 15m

3. 1.77m x 1.77m

Grids become a tool to create site-related forms by exploiting data, based on the existing forms and shapes. The choice of grids allows different patterns of development, and different choices to be elaborated, as the nature of the grid allows it to accept and respond to growth and change (Carmona & Tiesdell, 2007). Also, the use of different sets of grids embraces the confetti concepts adventitiousness, by generating patterns that help infrastructure planting in a less extraneous manner.

There are three grid patterns used.

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1 0 0 m

1 0 0 m

2 0 0 m

Figure 57. The dimension, 100m x 100m is taken from existing 200m x 100m grid, which was originally used for the earlier Christchurch CBD planning.

The dimension of the first grid is 100m by 100m, taken from a 200m by 100m grid, which was used for the Christchurch CBD planning in its earlier stages.

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1 0 0 m 1 0 0 m

Figure 58.100m x 100m grid assigned on selected site.

The original grid is reduced to 100m by 100m to enhance regularity and consistency for patterns to be generated from.

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1 5 m4 0

m 1 5 m 1 5 m

Figure 59. Steps showing 15m grid creation.The second grid is generated from the dimensions of existing property. The average property boundary dimension in Christchurch measures 15m by 40m and is considered a reasonable size to form. Following this motif, an urban grid of 15m by 15m is created to be the framework upon which the main continuity of the riverside pathway would be founded upon.

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Figure 60. 15m x 15m grid assigned on selected site.

Figure 61. Example of 15m grid application: lighting poles spacing distance (lighting pole designed by Zody Yi).

In application, for example, the 15m dimension would also dictate the consistent spacing distance between the lighting poles, as part of the continuity features.

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1 . 7 7 m

1 . 7 7 m1 . 7 7 m

Figure 62. Steps showing 1.77m grid creation.Finally, a human scale grid has been formed on the basis of the average New Zealanders stature (1.77m), generating the guidelines for basic infrastructure, upon which events, superposed property boundaries and footprints, and programmes are to be assigned.

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Figure 63.1.77m x 1.77m grid assigned on selected site.

Figure 64. 1.77m grid superpose existing forms (property boundaries and house footprints) to render new forms.

The generated grids superpose these existing forms (property boundaries and house footprints) and render new amenities that are founded upon the frameworks of the preceding site structure, retaining site-relation.

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Figure 65.Assign programmes: 15m grid for creating Pathway, 1.77m grid for generating specific activity space.

Demolished house footprint repurposed

Path

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Figure 66. Example of assigned programmes.

Open stageSitting area

StallPlayground

Main pathway(cycle+footpath)

Existing road as main road

Specific programme to be assigned

Because the event are not single-use or single-purposed, infrastructural systems should always be multi-use, whether top-down or bottom-up in its nature of creation. The design needs to be shaped by the community process, which delivers a narrative, and extends beyond the concept of occupancy through the narrative(Henderson, 2011).

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4.3 Circulation

Figure 67. Cycle track + walkway connecting the whole Avon River from CBD to Bexley Estuary.

Circulation is simply achieved as a road map to explore along the Avon River corridor and leads the occupants to serendipitous moments realized through established events.

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Cockayne Reserve Walkway

Dallington Community Market

Kerrs Reach Sports Park

Figure 68. Cycle track + walkway specified for three themed zones.

Walkways and cycle tracks not only connect event spots scattered along the river, but also allow for discrete experiences in between each track, with its individually themed zones.

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4.4 Infrastructures

PORT-A-LOO

POWER SUPPLY SANITARY AMENITY PERFORMANCE STAGE

STALL (FOOD, MARKET) SHADING OPEN STAGE

SEATS TABLE WITH SEATS STORAGE

Figure 69. Example list of infrastructures categorised by the fundamental level of services.

In order to implement a diverse range of events, it is important to pre-determine what basic infrastructures are needed to allow for a flexible and versatile accommodation of events. By categorising infrastructures based on the fundamental level of services, such as food, sanitary amenities, sittings and power supplies, the design can be applied in a way that would pragmatically help the community gather at the events.Here, the grid system is introduced to allow for the basic elements at every major node without causing any disorder. The grid patterns provide flexibility to locating what goes where and why.

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Figure 70. The level of the main footpath is raised by 800mm in response to the flood plain.

For the design of the main footpath, the level of the pathway is raised by 800mm in response to the flood plain. The latest ground surface information and updated floor levels have dictated that properties in the Avon and Sumner are to raise minimum floor levels to 270mm (Christchurch City Council, 2012f).

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Figure 71.List and types of materials used for paving.

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For the key material that forms these infrastructures, concrete debris from the demolition process is chosen for economic and sustainable reasons. Concrete is a relatively cheap material, easy to work with, flexible enough to adapt to complicated topography and requires little maintenance.

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HI! IM ERICA! I WILL BE YOUR GUIDE TO THE

EVENT CORRIDOR ALONG THE AVON RIVER!LETS CHECK OUT

WHATS HAPPENING IN DALLINGTON FIRST!

A River Market in Dallington

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THIS IS DALLINGTON, WHERE NEARLY TWO THIRDS OF HOUSES

HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS A RESIDENTIAL RED ZONE.

HERE!!

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Earthquake impact analysis

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1

2

3

4

5a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

i.

j.

k.

l.

Pre-earthquake Nov-11 Nov-12

Pre Sep 10 Nov 11 Nov 12 Social environment a. Community organisations 4 5 3 b. Community connectedness 4 5 3 c. Community participation 3 5 4

Built environment d. Housing stock 5 1 1 e. Roading infrastructure 4 1 1 f. Community facilities 2 1 1

Economic environment g. Local business/services 3 3 2 h. Access to local services 4 2 2 i. Local economy 3 3 2

Natural environment j. Land condition 5 2 1 k. Parks and spaces 5 1 2 l. Accessibility to natural environment 5 1 1

ACCORDING TO DALLINGTON COMMUNITY

PROFILE RELEASED BY THE COUNCIL, THE AREA

HAS BEEN SUFFERED FROM THE LOSS OF COMMUNITY

SIGNIFICANTLY.

HOUSES CLOSE TO THE AVON RIVER HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY AFFECTED BY LIQUEFACTION AND FLOODING.

THE AREA HAS AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY HISTORY. BY

ASSIGNING COMMUNITY MARKET PROGRAMME ON THE AREA, IT

WOULD HELP TO REVITALISE THEIR COMMUNITY AND ALSO ATTRACT

MORE PARTICIPATIONS FROM THE RESIDENTS.

AS SHOWN IN THE ANALYSIS, EARTHQUAKES HAD HUGE IMPACTS ON THE SOCIAL

ENVIRONMENT, PARTICULARLY FOR THE COMMUNITY.

Dallington Community Profile (Christchurch City Council, 2012).

108

BASED ON THE FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL OF SERVICES,THE AREA HAS BEEN DESIGNED WITH A SERIES OF INFRASTRUCTURES:

SEATS, OPEN STAGE AND POWER SUPPLY.

PORT-A-LOO

POWER SUPPLY SANITARY AMENITY PERFORMANCE STAGE

STALL (FOOD, MARKET) SHADING OPEN STAGE

SEATS TABLE WITH SEATS STORAGE

109

AS MENTIONED EARLIER, EACH LIGHTING POLE WILL BE PLACED AT EVERY 15M ALONG THE RIVER BANK.

THIS IS REASONABLE DISTANCE CONSIDERING THE EXISTING

HOUSE FOOTPRINT. THERE WERE MANY INDIVIDUAL POWER SUPPLIES

CONNECTED TO EACH HOUSE. REDEVELOPING THESE EXISTING POWER LINES WOULD BE MORE

COST-EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION.

THIS IS INFORMATION CONVEYING LIGHT POLE

DESIGNED BY ZODY YI, WHICH DELIVERS INFORMATION ABOUT

ENERGY USE OF ITS LOCATED AREA AND REGION; SO THE

PUBLIC WOULD BE MORE AWARE OF THEIR USE OF ENERGY.

110

EXAMPLE 1: OPEN STAGE INFRASTRUCTURES WITH

SITTING AREA.

LOVELY MUSIC HERE...

LA~LA~

LA~

LA~

LA~

LA~

EXAMPLE 1:OPEN STAGE

WITH SITTING AREA.

111

EXAMPLE 1: OPEN STAGE INFRASTRUCTURES WITH

SITTING AREA.

INSPIRED BY CARAVAN POWER SUPPLY PILLAR,

THIS COULD BE POSSIBLE DESIGN OPTION FOR

THE TEMPORARY POWER SUPPLY WITHIN THE

MARKET AREA.

220kVNATIONAL

GRID

TranspowerSubstation

66kVCABLE

UNDERGROUNDSubstation

11kVCABLE

UNDERGROUND

LocalSubstation

230 VoltsSOME OVERHEAD

SOME UNDERGROUND

220kVNATIONAL

GRID

TranspowerSubstation

66kVCABLE

UNDERGROUNDSubstation

11kVCABLE

UNDERGROUND

LocalSubstation

230 VoltsALL UNDERGROUND

POWER SAVING, LONG LIFE

FLUORESCENT LAMP

THE DIAGRAM ABOVE IS SHOWING AN OVERVIEW

OF DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICITY NETWORK SINCE THE FEBRUARY

EARTHQUAKE (ORIGINAL DIAGRAM, COURTESY OF ORION N.Z. LTD.) AND

POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT IN THE FUTURE.

ITS BEEN DECIDED THE DAMAGED OVERHEADS WILL BE REPLACED BY

UNDERGROUND CABLE IN THE FUTURE.

ORIGINAL DESIGN COPYRIGHT 2011 ELECTREX MANUFACTURING LTD. AND ADJUSTED BY AUTHOR.

112

AVONSIDE DRIVE

GIANT SANDBOXES!!

EXAMPLE 2:MARKET STALL,

OPEN STAGEWITH SITTINGAREA AND BIGSANDBOXES

(PLAYGROUND)

113

YAY!!!GIANT SANDBOXES!

I SHOULD TELL JANICE TO COME HERE!

OPEN STAGE AND SITTING AREAS ARE GENERATED BY

EXTRUDING SUPERPOSED GRID PATTERN OVER EXISTING HOUSE

FOOTPRINT.

WANNA GO FOR A WALK?

I NEED TO BUY SOME

FRUITS FROM THE MARKET.

YEAH! I WANT TO HAVE A LOOK AT THAT GIANT

SANDBOXES TOO!

LizAdrian

114

MAIN RIVER FOOT PATH

THE MAIN RIVER FOOT PATH HAS RAISEN BY 800mm DUE TO FLOOD PLAIN.

FOOT PATH UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES

FURTHERMO

RE...

115

FOOT PATH DURING FLOODING

116

WE ARE NOW NEAR TOKERRS REACH SPORTS PARK! THERES GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN!! FOLLOW ME!!

117

Kerrs Reach Sports Park

Amazing Race at

118

HERE!!

HERE, KERRS REACH WAS HOME FORCANTERBURY ROWING CLUBS ANDRECREATIONAL BOATING FOR A

LONG TIME.

THE BOATHOUSES AT KERRS REACH, AND THE HOCKEY FIELD AT PORRITT PARK WERE ALSO IRREVOCABLY DAMAGED - RESULTING

IN A FURTHER LOSS OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES.

119

SPORTING ACTIVITY WAS ALSO DISRUPTED DUE TO

THE CONTAMINATION OF THE RIVER AND THE EXTENSIVELY

INCAPACITATED SEWERS.

OH~ NO

!!

120

IF THE FORMER PROPERTY AREAS TURN INTO GREEN OPEN FIELDS, IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR LOCAL

FOOTBALL CLUBS TO PLAY GAMES.

THE DESIGN PROPOSES MORE SPORTS RELATED AMENITIES

AND SPACE FOR THE AUDIENCE TO ENTERTAIN. FOR INSTANCE,

THERE COULD BE A FOOTBALL GAME HAPPENING WHILE THE ROWING

RACE RUNNING ON THE RIVER.

WAY TO GO CAPTAIN!!

GO!! TEAM CANTERBURY!!

ALL WHITE,BEN SIGMUND IS PLAYING WITH CHRISTCHURCH UNITED A.F.C!!

121

KERRS REACH ROWING CLUB BOATHOUSE

WOOF!WOOF!

HOW NICE! I CAN ENJOYTWO DIFFERENT SPORTS

EVENTS AT THE SAME TIME!I LOVE BOTH ROWING AND

FOOTBALL GAME

GO!! GO!!

KEEP MOVING!

122

KEEP MOVING!

LOVE YOU FRANK!

KERRS REACH ROWING

CLUB BOATHOUSE

123

GO!! GO!!

GO!! GO!!

IM SURE THERE WILL BE MORE AMAZING RACES

HAPPENING. CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT ROWING

SEASON!

KERRS REACH ROWING

CLUB BOATHOUSE

ZZ

Z

GREAT WEATHER TODAY AND NICE BREEZE

TOO!

Cockayne Reserve WalkwayInvitation

from the Nature

126

HERE!!

FINALLY, THE COCKAYNE RESERVE WALKWAY IS PROPOSED AS AN ENTRY WALKWAY TO BEXLEY

WETLAND ESTUARY, THE HOME OF ABUNDANT WILDLIFE LIVING.

BEXLEY WETLANDAND

ESTUARY

127

THIS IS CURRENT CONDITION OF COCKAYNE RESERVE.

THE SITE IS CONTAMINATED BY THE SCRAPS OF METALS FROM THE

LOCAL METAL INDUSTRIES.

128

ALSO, THE RIVERS ECOSYSTEM HAS BEEN DAMAGED DUE TO LARGE AMOUNT OF DISCHARGED WASTEWATERS.

129

IT IS RELEVANTLY SIGNIFICANT TO PROPOSE A DESIGN SOLUTION THAT WOULD HELP TO RESTORE WETLAND

ECOSYSTEM.

130

(IMAGE SOURCE: CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL, ANGELA YOO)

THE DESIGN IS PROPOSED AS AN EXTENSION TO CHRISTCHURCH COUNCILS

GREEN CORRIDOR CONNECTION PLAN.

IN 1992, 12.5 HECTARES OF SALT MARSH, SALT MEADOW, COASTAL BUSH AND

FRESHWATER WETLAND AREAS WERE DESIGNATED AS AN ECOLOGICAL HERITAGE

SITE.

SEEMS THERE ARE A LOT OF WETLAND ECOSYSTEM

RESEARCH GOING ON!

131

RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS CAN

EASILY JOIN TO THE RIVER RESTORATION PROCESS! I THINK IT IS A GREAT WAY OF INVITING PEOPLE TO

THE NATURE!

THERE ARE PLANTING DAYS FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP PROTECT ECOLOGICAL

HERITAGE SITES TOO!

THE IDEA OF ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION IS

REPRESENTED IN THE CASE STUDY OF COCKAYNE RESERVE

WALKWAY PARK.

FILTRATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL AND RIVER WATER, FLAX, SWAMP IS CONSIDERED AND

ALLOWS HAVING NATURAL GROWTH OF WATER PLANTS.

132

TEA TIME IN THE PARK!

SANDBOXES

RELAXING TIME!

133

NOW WE CAN WALK TO THE ESTUARY PARK BY JUST FOLLOWING THE RIVER!

THE WALKWAY MAY CONTINUE FOLLOWING THE ESTUARY

STREAM. THE DESIGN ALLOWS FOR VARIOUS EVENT PROGRAMMES TO BE ASSIGNED ON EACH EMPTY

SITE (FORMER PROPERTY SITE) AND INVITES LOCAL RESIDENTS.

ALSO THE DESIGN SPONTANEOUSLY LEADS PEOPLE TO THE BEXLEY WETLAND AND THE ESTUARY.

134

LOOK! DANCE-O-MAT ISBACK HERE! YAYY!

135

FREE PAINTING WALL!!THIS IS AWESOME!!!

I SHOULD TELL MY FELLOWARTISTS ABOUT THIS...

THERE WILL BE MORE SERENDIPITOUS EVENT MOMENTS ALONG THE RIVER. SOMETIMES IT CAN BE AN ARTIST DRAWING ON

BRICK WALL OR A DANCER DANCING ON DANCE-O-MAT. ANYTHING CAN

HAPPEN IF YOU LET IT!

136

This research has revealed a demand for the restoration of familiar and communal spaces in Christchurch - especially the relatively neglected Eastern suburbs outside of the CBD. The thesis adopts the position that the architects role in this environment is not to dictate construction but to open up usable spaces for the lives of citizens to fill.

Following what is essentially a bottom-up process of creating architectural interventions, an event corridor has been proposed. The corridor employs a confetti concept as the basis of its grid and thus symbolically communicating a hybrid of individuality and diversity, heritage and renewal.

These spaces are to host transitional city projects providing a work-in-progress during the citys rebuilding. It was found through the design process that such projects do not merely serve as temporary facilities to be substituted by more permanent attributes of the city to come, but that they inspire, facilitate and motivate citizens in the shaping of the citys restored form.

The thesis therefore respects the enthusiasm and passion that the citizens of Christchurch hold for their city, and ensures that the architecture is achieved through a procedural framework that orbits around their community values.

To realize such transitional re-development, it was highlighted that the retention of pre-existing infrastructure is just as crucial as the construction of new, versatile infrastructure. The confetti design concept and its underlying grid blueprinted directly from former properties, provides a fresh design implementation method that can be further adapted to also permeate other areas.

A series of comic strips is used for the main presentation technique to communicate and help the general publics understanding of the event corridor concept. The comic strip form was chosen to convey narrative with a sense of intimacy, to make the information more approachable and to arouse residents passion and to invite their participation in the rebuilding process.

CONCLUSION

137

Through each design case study, the author learnt the importance of designing an essential element which would implement the events. In A River Market study, the design successfully highlighted the importance of practical considerations (eg. power supply) which, though simple, are often neglected. In the case of Kerrs Reach Sports Park, the idea of preserving the local history reveals its potential to invite more rowers and kayakers regatta events to the river which have already started to take their place in the gradual developments to the area. The designed structures particularly consider the audience who are, without a d