City planners and rebuilders need to better respect the natural under-layers to the city,says Di Lucus.
Lucas was an advisor on the city’s waterway restoration and the city became known as a world leader on the topic. But the job has only been half done and needs to be a major consideration in planning the city’s renewal.
Lucas reviewed 1850s maps of Christchurch showing wetlands and streams through the city and was little surprised there was so much damage. Liquefaction mapping was predicted, and has occurred on areas with high water table and estuarine sands, and the existing and former natural levees along watercourses have exploded.
Natural corridors forming substantial greenways along at-risk waterway lands should be formed in the CBD and beyond, providing pedestrian and cycle movement, recreation, ecosystem services and natural processes. She said a river parkland corridor could connect Hagley Park to the coast. We must avoid buildings and road structures encroaching on natural waterway systems.
http://www.thebigidea.co.nz/news/industry-news/2011/apr/85081-christchurch-cbd-needs-rethink