The Strategy
The Strategy and Action Plan is based upon a set of Guiding Principles and Strategic Directions that enabled the development of an overall vision for the Greater Christchurch area.
The Vision for Greater Christchurch
By the year 2041, Greater Christchurch has a vibrant inner city and suburban centres surrounded by thriving rural communities and towns, connected by efficient and sustainable infrastructure. There are a wealth of public spaces ranging from bustling inner city streets to expansive open spaces and parks, which embrace natural systems, landscapes and heritage. Innovative businesses are welcome and can thrive supported by a wide range of attractive facilities and opportunities. Prosperous communities can enjoy a variety of lifestyles in good health and safety, enriched by the diversity of cultures and the beautiful environment of Greater Christchurch.
Guiding Principles
A set of principles was agreed to help with decisions on investment and implementation of the Strategy to achieve the Vision.
Sustainable prosperity is the overarching principle achieved through Strategy partners committing to providing leadership, and to work in partnership with each other and the community, and taking responsibility for decisions. Decision-making will be based upon the need for resilience, adaptability to change, the need for innovation to find creative approaches to old problems, and thorough integration between partners, plans and processes. Restoration of natural systems is a top guiding principle.
The Principles provide 'how' the Strategy will be implemented.
Strategic Directions
The Strategic Directions outline the Strategy outcomes. They are key components of the Vision, and provide the basis for the specific actions listed in the Action Plan. Their focus is on enriching lifestyles, enhancing environments, encouraging prosperous economies, managing growth, providing effective governance and leadership, and integrating implementation.
The Strategic Directions provide 'what' the Strategy will implement.
The Strategy Document
The purpose of the Strategy is to provide for Greater Christchurch over the next 35 years a clear strategic direction of what we want Christchurch to look like, including:
- where we want future housing,
- where we want to develop or enhance social and retail centres of activity,
- where we want areas of new employment, and
- how we want to integrate transport networks to service these areas.
Some of these documents are PDFs. You will require the free Adobe reader to view them.
The Strategy also provides guidelines for how the Strategic Partners, communities, business, Central Government and non-government agencies can work collaboratively to manage growth in a way that conserves or enhance precious resources and environments, while allowing growth to build vibrant and prosperous towns and suburbs that help support a healthy city.
Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy and Action Plan 2007
[4.25MB]
Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy Summary 2008
[668KB]
What's New
Urban Development Strategy 2009 Demographic Update Report [PDF 132KB]
Greater Christchurch residents are a step closer to the future they asked for in the Urban Development Strategy (UDS) as Environment Canterbury makes changes to the Regional Policy Statement.
For more information go to www.ecan.govt.nz/RPS.
Bringing alive a 35-year vision: UDS exhibition, Our City O-Tautahi, cnr Worcester Boulevard and Oxford Terrace, 22 September-21 November 2009.
Smart travel choices key to a sustainable future by Bill Wasley.
The Greater Christchurch Travel Demand Management Strategy was accepted by the UDS Implementation Committee in June 2009. The strategy looks at ways people can change travel behaviour to make more sustainable choices.
