Not to long ago the Christchurch City Council adopted a draft plan to rebulid Central Christchurch, NZ after the earthquakes in September, February and June.
Light rail, a smaller central business district (CBD) and a new swimming centre are among features of the draft plan adopted by council today before being released for public consultation on Tuesday.
The expected cost is about 2 billion New Zealand dollars.
The draft plan also proposes an $8 million memorial to those who died in February's earthquake, which would be a "space", rather than an "object". The site is yet to be decided
It also says a purpose-built museum and research institute will be built, called the Earthquake Preparedness and Information Centre.
The plan also proposes limiting buildings in the central city "core" to six or seven storeys - a maximum of 29 metres.
Fringe areas would be limited to 21m (four or five levels), while buildings on the edge of the city would be limited to 17m (four levels).
http://www.stuff.co.nz/...
The Mayor of Christchurch, Bob Parker said:
It paid tribute to the stoicism and courage of Christchurch residents and provided a pathway toward a "safe, sustainable, green, hi-tech, low-rise city in a garden".
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/...
Christchuch has been known for a long time as the Garden City, principally because of its famous Botanical Gardens, and the beautiful trees along the wonderful Avon River. It really didn't feel like a major city when you walked along the River or in the Gardens. It felt like paradise.
Here is some video of the Gardens (before the quakes)
Fortunately, the Gardens were not to damaged.
Hopefully, the city can recapture that feel that it used to have. And make it better. I love the idea of having light rail installed and going out to the suburbs. Should have been done years ago.
And if any group of people can change this:
back into a beautiful and even better city, its the people of Christchurch.
United they stood on their Memorial Day,
Christchurch will rise up their Motto they say,
Our city shook beneath the Earths crust,
Bricks and Mortar have crumbled to dust,
Loved one's gone never to return,
Memories of horror like embers they burn,
Their city is weeping the ground is seeping,
Bodies lay beneath forever safekeeping,
Flashbacks haunt the one's left behind,
How could Mother Earth have been so unkind,
Historic Buildings crumbled to the power,
The City has lost the Cathedral Bell tower,
There prayers of mercy their congregation strong,
Church doors closed the organs sound is longed,
Our Garden City will bloom coming spring,
A Nation rejoicing a New City to begin,
People have rallied from places afar,
A gift of kindness how gracious we Kiwi's all are.
Beverley Warren