Greater Christchurch Recovery Update - November 2012 Update from Christchurch Central Development Unit
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Thousands turned out to view the light and architectural spectacle that was LUXCITY on Labour Weekend in the city. Over 350 architecture and design students from across New Zealand designed and constructed 16 installations in the central city’s empty places. They used light to create spaces for pop-up functions: bars, cafes, live music venues, theatre and a gallery. LUXCITY on 20 October was the opening night event for the Festival of Transitional Architecture (FESTA). Spring River Festival community fun The success of the first Spring River Festival already has organisers thinking ahead to next year. The programme on the Saturday and Sunday of Labour Weekend featured 40 recreational and community events at New Brighton, Ferrymead, Wainoni, Burwood, Travis, Shirley and Avonside. Avon–Ōtākaro Network co-chairman and Spring River Festival organiser Evan Smith, says the range of events attracted between 4,000 and 5,000 people over the two days, which were sunny and warm. “The festival opening, which involved a flotilla of waka, dragon boats and rowing boats, was very moving and attracted about 400 people. Around 750 attended a special event at Ferrymead Heritage Park on the Sunday which featured historical photos of the river and estuary.” estuary to the history, health and wellbeing of Christchurch. and we’ve got some ideas on how to make it even better Mr Smith says about 3,000 people attended events in It’s also about reconnecting people and communities next year,” says Mr Smith. New Brighton on the Saturday and businesses reported from all parts of the city and strengthening many of the Initiated, coordinated and promoted by Avon–Ōtākaro their best trading day for several years. communities most affected by the quakes. Network, the festival is supported by Christchurch City “We chose the river as a focus as it’s by far the most “It was only our first year running the festival so we have Council, CERA, Sport Canterbury, CanCERN, Healthy significant feature for the east. The Spring River Festival things to learn. Overall we are happy with the turn-out in a Christchurch, Rebuild Christchurch Foundation and the recognises the importance of the Avon/Ōtākaro River and weekend where there were a number of competing events Volunteer Army Foundation. Paddling pool repairs Local businesses on Signs of progress on track for summer the road to success for St Albans ISSUE 15 November 2012 page 5 page 6 page 7 CER148.1012A 0800 RING CERA I 0800 7464 2372 I Fax (03) 963 6382 I www.cera.govt.nz UPDATE FROM TE RUnANGA O NGAI TAHU Gerry Brownlee Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery NZ Cup and Show Week is upon us. A myriad of events comprise Cup and Show Week at Riccarton, Addington, the A&P Show, and throughout the city and province. It’s a busy time. Collectively these events add significant value to our region economically, but also psychologically by raising our spirits. Cup and Show Week demonstrates the strength of our diversity - our pastoral and livestock agricultural Artists impression Te Ari Prendergast and Andy Davies – RAA base, the equine industry, sports, business and manufacturing, hospitality, high-end fashion, and more. Economically, the value can be measured both in terms of the direct spend at Cup and Show Week events, Te Papa Otakaro – reviving the and also in terms of the growth generated indirectly. At the time of the last research into the economic benefits of Cup and Show Week in 2010, direct spending was heart of our city calculated at over $30 million, 45% of which was spent by visitors to Christchurch. Te Papa Ōtākaro, the Avon River Precinct will “Significant geographical features will be reflected through become the ‘tāhuhu/backbone’ or ‘linear heart’ of spatial connections in the form of pedestrian ways, view The growth generated indirectly includes things like Christchurch, acknowledging the significance of shafts, place and street names. These spatial connections money spent outside Cup and Show events such as early Ngāi Tahu occupation in the central city. will imprint a coherent, physical and connected narrative in at restaurants, hotels, visiting other attractions while in the new compact core of the city.” Christchurch, and so on. This indirect spending was Hirini Matunga, Professor of Indigenous planning at Lincoln calculated at over $28 million. University, says prior to European settlement, Christchurch Perry Royal says Market Square on the banks of the Avon was ‘teeming with Ngāi Tahu people’, travelling from all River was a key trading site for Ngāi Tahu, in particular Ngāi Over 600 full time positions were required to service around Te Waipounamu and stopping off at Market Square, Tūāhuriri. this level of spending. known today as Victoria Square. “This site will become the poutokomanawa (central pole), Here is an interesting fact. In 2010 over 165,000 of us “We now have a wonderful challenge and an opportunity where visitors can be welcomed through the pōwhiri ritual. attended various events throughout Cup and Show arising out of this earthquake to restore these sites that It will become the key northern gateway to the city and the Week and in 2011 this figure only dropped by around were really important to us,” Hirini Matunga says. beginning of the city’s narrative.” 12%, despite the February 2011 earthquake and Associate Professor Director Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, thousands of aftershocks. This is another example of Te Maire Tau says Māori values in terms of their relationship our resilience and determination to move forward with with the land and caring for people will need to be reflected our lives, and is testimony to our commitment to and in the rebuild. enthusiasm for Cup and Show Week. Architect Perry Royal, advisor to CERA’s Christchurch Phone: (03) 366 4344 It is also testimony to our need to come together, return Central Development Unit says wāhi tapu and sites of Web: www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz to a degree of familiar normality, and just have fun. Cup cultural significance will be connected and acknowledged Email: [email protected] and Show Week always seems to have a positive and within the central city. uplifting effect on us. Its hard not to be positive about people coming together and having fun (while at the same time adding value to our economy). And we deserve it. Urban Village design There is still much to do to ensure everyone is a part of our recovery journey, but we should not forget that we competition launched have already come a long way and have much more to look forward to. A design competition for a new Urban Village in have easy access to green space, the new Performing Arts Whichever events you attend during Cup and Show central Christchurch will bring to life the vision of Precinct, retail and entertainment areas, and transport and Week, or whether you choose to stay closer to home the residential housing development included in recreation facilities. and relax, I hope you enjoy the time and spend some the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan. “The new development will inspire and excite a new of that time reflecting on how much we have to generation of residents to live within Christchurch’s central celebrate. The new Urban Village is a joint development involving Christchurch City Council, Ministry of Business Innovation city, where we are rebuilding what will be one of the most and Employment, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and CERA’s modern and liveable cities in the world,” says Christchurch Christchurch Central Development Unit. It will be built on Mayor Bob Parker. the corner of Madras and Gloucester Streets. The deadline for entries in the first stage of the competition Designers and developers from around the world are being is 15 January 2013. Three teams will then be shortlisted invited to enter the ‘design and build’ competition. Entrants and given $20,000 to complete developed designs. are tasked with designing a new complex for medium- A winner will be selected by next August, with Kevin density urban living. It must provide a variety of housing McCloud presenter of British television show Grand options and lifestyle choices based on the key principles of Designs as one of the judges. Construction is scheduled to sustainability, affordability, innovation and a strong sense of begin in December 2013. community. Located on the edge of the East Frame, it will 2 Greater Christchurch Recovery Update - November 2012 UPDATE FROM CHRISTCHURCH CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT UNIT Convention Centre “We anticipate they’ll be notified later in November with substantive work commencing early 2013,” says Greg Roger Sutton The deadline for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from groups Wilson. CERA Chief Executive that want to be part of the Convention Centre Precinct is drawing near. The Frame The Lonely Planet guide recently described CERA’s Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU) and CERA’s CCDU is expecting a draft report on the Frame Christchurch as a place that’s ‘rising from Christchurch City Council called for EOIs on 10 October and the buildings it affects shortly. In that report, design the rubble with flair’. That’s a title I feel proud 2012. The EOI invitation seeks to encourage innovation consultants will recommend which buildings should remain, to embrace. Lonely Planet has also rated us and explore market interest and capabilities in delivering which should stay initially but be transitioned out over time the Convention Centre Precinct. Responses will be used number six on its list of ‘Top 10 Cities for 2013’ and which sites should be cleared. Ongoing transport to inform the next steps of delivery. Design proposals will and that’s something I hope the world will planning may also affect some of those decisions.