Background - Phase 1: Prospecting Results
Last summer a group of researchers, students and volunteer professionals carried out a project to analyse the infrastructre, environment, social patterns, economic connections and transport dynamics that have developed in Christchurch over its 150 year history as a city. The resource and environment context going forward 100 years were explored and a fundamental approach used to develop a transition plan built on secure foundations. The transition plan had several requirements, including afforadbility, viability, interconnectnedness and resilience. The results of the project were well-received, and the team won the UC Silver Sustainability award. The results identified the opportunity for “Grey-field Redevelopment” in the Riccarton Bush Inn area, with transitional development along the Riccarton Road commercial and transit corridor. The transition plan is a medium density urban centre could house 20,000 people, with 9000 new jobs in the “high street” and “town square” developments. The FTGU method could be applied to other areas of the city to help realise the “sustainable” city transition. The current trends of rushed, adhoc commercial development and ex-urban residential sprawl represent substantial risks to Christchurch’s high quailty of life and vibrant economy in the near and long term. Phase 2: University Village Base Data
There are great urban areas around the world. The challenge this summer will be to do the pre-feasibility engineering analysis and base data collection necessary to launch a local transition development project. The objective is transition a specific area in Riccarton into a college town. The team will work from the ground up, with analysis and cost estimating for the sewage, water, walkability, transport, rubbish, ownership, afforadbiltiy, construciton materials… The project runs from 8 Nov – 28 Feb. The requirements for the transition design are that the plan must be:
Achievable - Investable - Viable - Consentable
