Kia ora, Talofa lava, Kia orana, Malo e lelei, Fakaalofa lahiatu, Bula vinaka, Talofa ni, Halo ola keta , Mauri, Namaste, Nǐ hǎo, Ahn nyeong ha se yo, Konnichi wa, Salaam Alekum, Ciào, Hola, Rohzj bahsh, Assaalmu Alaykum…
Imagine the tranquility of a Japanese garden, a Buddhist fountain meditation area, a walking meditation circle or a Korean undulating park and playground. Or perhaps a green maze leading to area of contemplation, a place of tranquility and stillness amidst the chaos and impact of the disaster that has afflicted Christchurch. These places and spaces enhance an otherwise vacant demolition site and gives permission for people to sit and reflect in a beautiful peaceful setting to ensure the spiritual aspect of the people of Christchurch is supported through the recovery, the rebuild and beyond. People leave feeling like their soul has had a big hug.
This is an opportunity for Maori, Pacific and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities in Christchurch to be invited to be involved in a positive and creative way. It is an opportunity to take part in creating a special place which reflects their culture, creates a sense of belonging and increases connectedness in a city of change. It can also ensure that their voice and presence is more visible in the rebuild of our city. A city where amongst the many pamphlets for tourists and residents there is one for the Places of Tranquility capturing the beauty of areas that already exist in Christchurch and those that have been created by some of the communities of Christchurch to support our recovery.
Project partner Lincoln University School of Landscape Architecture are hosting a student competition in Semester 1, 2012 for six sites utilising different philosophies, religions, kaupapa to enhance space and open areas for healing our spirits and wellbeing. Each site is one of six geographical groups, these are as follows:
1. Africa e.g. Somalia and Ethiopia
2. Europe and Russia
3. North & West Asia e.g. Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Bhutan and Nepal
4. South & East Asia e.g. Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia
5. Latin America
6. Pacific e.g. Pacifica and Maori
Cultural and Spiritual philosophies from these areas will inform the design inspiration. Working with these communities in Christchurch will provide opportunities for engagement in the recovery and sharing their culture with all of Christchurch.
All spaces will involve volunteers, project managed by the winning students who will be mentored by established Landscape Architects and Community Development Workers. These sites are temporary, however, there is support that they could become part of the suburban red zone river park.
Healthy Christchurch will lead this project in collaboration with Lincoln University and Greening the Rubble.
The project working group also covers representation from the Christchurch Multicultural Council, Christchurch Migrants Centre, Christchurch Resettlement Services, Living Streets Aotearoa, Christchurch Garden City Trust, Festival of Flowers, Community & Public Health and Partnership Health Canterbury.
Other supporting organisations include the CERA Wellbeing Team, Avon-Otakaro Network and the Canterbury District Health Board.
For more information or to become part of this initiative contact:
Michelle Whitaker, Healthy Christchurch Co-ordinator
healthychristchurch@cdhb.health.nz
www.healthychristchurch.org.nz