Central City South vision gets green light

 A visionary concept for revitalising the Central City South precinct was today adopted by the Christchurch City Council.

The Central City South Concept and Vision aims to redevelop the central city south with a mix of residential and commercial uses and an expanded lanes network. Mayor Bob Parker says the vision is to create a safe, vibrant central city where people live rather than simply visit for work and entertainment.

“The City Council is committed to a vision of a world class city with a vibrant urban heart. The concept for the Central City South is a great step towards achieving that vision.”
The concept builds on past Central City planning work including the City Mall, the tram route, the lanes network, and SOL Square. It was developed in consultation with engineers, architects, urban designers, and property developers.

The Concept is not a stand-alone strategy but one of a series of strategies, programmes and projects the Council has developed to support and progress its central city vision. These include the Central City Revitalisation Strategy, the Central City Lanes Plan, Project City Mall, the Central City Transport Concept Plan, the Urban Design Panel and the Central City Parking Strategy.

The guiding principles are, to support mixed-used neighbourhoods, promote residential development on the upper floors of buildings, keep commercial spaces to a human scale in keeping with the heritage nature of the area and discourage big-box development, continue development of lanes and piazzas, reuse buildings where practical, and promote pedestrians rather than cars.

The concept covers redevelopment proposals for the City-owned properties in the precinct including the properties purchased last year from developer David Henderson, as well as the Civic Offices and City Creche in Tuam Street, the Tuam Street carpark, and the current Lichfield Bus Exchange.

Mr Parker said the Council was committed to the revitalisation of the Central City. The redevelopment of the Central City South, the area bounded by Lichfield, Madras Colombo and Dundas streets, “is a cornerstone of this revitalisation programme”, he said.

He says the area is ideal for residential development since it is already well-serviced with supermarkets, cinemas, restaurants and cafes, education providers and a wide range of shopping, and is close to other central city venues.

The plan is to make it more attractive by developing an extended lanes network linking streetscapes north to south and east to west, with a series of piazzas and greenspaces.
“Our priorities for the Central City are to increase the number of residents, grow businesses, enhance public spaces, redevelop under-utilised sites, and improve transport,” he said.

It is not the Council’s intention to become a developer. The plan is to see the properties developed in line with the Council vision, with investors/developers buying the buildings with the covenant that they follow the vision.
“The success of the Central City is integral to the success of Christchurch as a whole, and that success is linked to the success of the region.

“ As the heart of our community, the Central City is a demonstration of our past accomplishments and future aspirations. Recognising the importance of a vibrant core, the Council is firmly committed to an ambitious, long-term revitalisation programme,” Mr Parker said.

The Central City South concept comes at a time when the Council is two years into implementing the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy (UDS) the 35-year plan for greater Christchurch, and four years into the action plan in the Central City Revitalisation Strategy which is a key priority in the UDS.

Check out the vision at www.ccc.govt/CentralCity/Programmes/CentralCitySouth.asap