Christchurch City Council recognised in Christchurch Heritage Awards

Christchurch City Council was presented with the "Lightworkx Heritage Innovation Award" for its part in the development of "Poplar Lanes". The area has been transformed from an under-utilised area of the Central City into a thriving space. The Lanes Plan and design guidelines were also praised in the citation for the award.

Programme Manager Liveable City, Carolyn Ingles says it is fantastic to be recognised in the recent awards. 

"The Poplar Lanes development demonstrates how the visionary collaboration between owner, developer, architect, engineer and Christchurch City Council can breathe new life into back street character and heritage buildings.

"Poplar Lanes, a former industrial area, encourages people to enjoy heritage buildings up close. There is a diverse mix of business and residential development complemented by an imaginative use of public space."

Poplar Lanes development is part of Council’s Central City Lanes Plan for Project Central City – a key priority under the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy. The vision for the Central City is a vibrant, fun, exciting, safe and sustainable heart of Christchurch.

Meanwhile, Christchurch City Council was further recognised with Our City O-Tautahi, Communications Unit receiving a Highly Commended award for Heritage Education and Interpretation for the exhibition ‘At the Going Down of the Sun and in the Morning – war memorials and remembrance in Christchurch’.

The Christchurch Heritage Awards Trust recognises excellence in heritage retention and conservation, heritage tourism and heritage education within the public and private sector and promote the values of best practice heritage retention and conservation to the wider community.

The adoption of the Lanes Plan in 2007 and the preparation of New Zealand Planning Institute and New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects award winning Design Guidelines in 2008 have reinforced the Council’s significant role in revitalising the city’s laneways.

The Christchurch City Council is committed to developing a vibrant lanes network in Christchurch.