The Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy
The Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, and the continuing aftershocks, present major challenges for the future planning of the region and well being of the community.
Fortunately, councils in the earthquake-affected area of greater Christchurch (Christchurch City, Environment Canterbury - the regional council, Selwyn and Waimakariri Districts) along with the NZ Transport Agency and Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu, have been working collaboratively on a strategic plan to manage future growth called the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy (UDS).
A key issue was deciding where development should occur in the city and the districts. Threats posed by natural hazards, such as earthquakes, floods and rock falls, were factored in to ensure the most appropriate land was identified for development.
Areas to the west and north of Christchurch, including Belfast, Wigram and Halswell, and Lincoln, Rolleston, Rangiora and Woodend/Pegasus were identified for long-term growth. Partner local authorities have been preparing development plans for these areas, working with developers and preparing funding and infrastructure programmes to support future development. Some of these plans, and construction, were well advanced before the first earthquake struck. This means the UDS not only remains relevant after the earthquakes, it is actually critical for the recovery.
There can be no denying the challenges ahead. Thankfully the years of hard work spent developing the UDS now provide the strategic direction, plans and tools to implement recovery and ensure future growth is managed effectively.
On this website is more information about:
- The Strategy and Action Plan
- The integration of this work with earthquake recovery
- Key implementation projects
- The people and structures involved
- News about projects and related events
- Reports prepared by the UDS Partnership
- Background information about the development of the Strategy
- Some frequently asked questions
For more information email questions and comments to: info@greaterchristchurch.org.nz.
Or visit the UDS partners' websites:
- Christchurch City Council
- Environment Canterbury
- Selwyn District Council
- Waimakariri District Council
- New Zealand Transport Agency (Christchurch motorways)
- Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu
Or visit this related website: Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA)
Integration with earthquake recovery
Earthquake recovery is clearly the top priority for the UDS partnership. The change of priority hasn't changed the UDS long-term vision for greater Christchurch, or the strategic directions and general areas identified for growth.
The timing and sequencing of development and infrastructure provision proposed in the UDS may need to be reviewed, however the UDS provides the appropriate long-term settlement pattern within which short-term recovery planning can occur.
Councils have already responded to the need for land and housing for people relocating from the red-zones by accelerating development of areas already identified for growth. Infrastructure should meet short-term demand. Councils and developers are carefully looking at the timing and location for new infrastructure in the medium to long-term, particularly where infrastructure has not been previously planned.
Recovery planning will need to accommodate:
- decisions regarding the suitability of land for residential rebuild over the medium term;
- the consequent need for and/or desire of people to relocate within the area;
- the anticipated influx of a temporary workforce to aid recovery; and
- opportunities to support economic recovery, including business growth and relocation.
A range of recovery programmes and recovery plans is being developed to provide both certainty and a framework for progress to resolve these issues. Many of the UDS key approaches and actions are informing the development of these plans and programmes.
Amongst the hard decisions and social upheaval that lies ahead there also will be opportunities to implement some UDS initiatives and changes ahead of their original schedule. As an example, the UDS plan encourages greater levels of urban living in and around the central city and within key suburban activity centres. Ongoing demolitions and investment decisions will create residential redevelopment opportunities. This is highlighted in the draft Central City Plan submitted to the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery. The Christchurch City Council has also incorporated this objective within their Suburban Centre Master Plan work.
The UDS Partners will be working together with CERA over the next few years to ensure a successful social, built, economic and environmental recovery that gets the region back on track to the UDS vision for a vibrant, prosperous, thriving, diverse community in the beautiful environment of Greater Christchurch.
What's New
The Land Use Recovery Plan now available: see Developing Choices for greater Christchurch.
The Greater Christchurch Transport Statement has been released.
Population Estimates Report (MERA) for Greater Christchurch executive summary [PDF 728KB] and full report [PDF 3.2MB]
Updated post-earthquake household growth scenarios summary report now available [PDF 522KB]
Information on current and future section availability now available on Council websites. For more information go to Land Availability Christchurch, Waimakariri and Selwyn.
Read the UDS submission to the Productivity Commission's housing affordability inquiry [PDF 252KB]
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