The city as laboratory: what post-quake Christchurch is teaching us about urban recovery and transformation

Thu, 6 Oct 2022 11:59:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/the-city-as-laboratory-what-post-quake-christchurch-is-teaching-us-about-urban-recovery-and-transformation-190738>

"In the aftermath of a series of earthquakes that devastated Ōtautahi
Christchurch 12 years ago, impromptu and transitional organisations kickstarted
the city’s recovery.

On the many vacant sites in the demolished city, they supported pop-up shops,
installations and events to keep city life and urban wellbeing going during the
slow post-quake rebuild.

Such transitional urban wellbeing efforts are just as relevant elsewhere as
cities experience the impacts of climate chaos and wider ecological decline,
and are subject to shocks, both acute and chronic.

Our research gathered key learnings on urban transition led by grassroots
organisations.

Cities are under increasing pressure to shift to circular, zero-carbon and
ecological living systems to support social, cultural and ecological wellbeing.

Researchers studying urban system change have identified key areas of action
for holistic wellbeing. They emphasise the need for swift transitions in urban
energy, economic and ecological infrastructures and transport and building
systems to foster community and ecological wellbeing – all of which require
people to collaborate, experiment and learn.

In partnership with Life in Vacant Spaces (LiVS), a behind-the-scenes
organisation that negotiates with landowners to match projects with empty
sites, we interviewed some of the people who were involved with the more than
700 transitional projects in Christchurch during the past decade."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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