Bold Cathedral Square design still needs funding plan
Regenerate Christchurch has released finalised concept plans for Christchurch’s Cathedral Square.
Christchurch has a bold and dramatic plan for Cathedral Square – but no clarity on how the $60 million to $80m project will be funded.
The redesign was released on Wednesday after a long planning process, and has drawn mixed public reaction.
Anchored by rounded pavilions linked by a lattice-style overhead shelter, the new plan combines green and paved surfaces aimed at creating people-friendly spaces.
An artist's impression of the planned Cathedral Square revamp show a large sheltered area.
Its authors, Crown-Christchurch City Council planning agency Regenerate Christchurch, said they wanted to fix a city heart seen as "damaged and uninviting".
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Regenerate chief executive Ivan Iafeta described the vision as aspirational but practical. He said its execution would be rolled out in stages as funding allowed and surrounding building projects were completed.
A green space with trees and waterways is included.
Iafeta said they and the council would begin more detailed work "very shortly", such as how to deliver the project and use existing funding, including narrowing the $60m to $80m cost estimate. Planning to date has cost $1m.
Shoppers on central city streets on Wednesday were surprised by the designs. Jayden Muir did not like the plans, saying he preferred the Square retain a heritage feel.
"It's just not Christchurch in my eyes, that's all."
Hannah Hughes thought the possible pavilion was "cool", and looked like nothing she had seen before. Charlotte Apiti said there were other things the money could be spent on, as "half the roads in Christchurch are still shocking".
Comments on Stuff included "the Square definitely needs some covered space", "hideous", and "stop floundering around and just do it". The square definitely needs some covered space
Cathedral Square property owner Gordon Chamberlain liked most aspects of the plan, including the green spaces and traffic reduction, but questioned how it could be achieved around the drawn-out Christ Church Cathedral restoration.
Paving designs will reference the Christ Church Cathedral roof and concepts of whānau and community.
The project's cost estimates include roading and other infrastructure. The Government and council's 2013 cost-sharing agreement promised $4.6m each. The council's 10-year plan has budgeted $9.4m for the Square over four years, but this will not be finalised until the end of the month.
Mayor Lianne Dalziel said she was confident the plan would help make the central city a destination, and support others to invest in the area's regeneration.
Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods said it was great to see the ideas unveiled and she was "keen to see progress in the square as quickly as possible."
Paving patterns emphasise the east-west link.
As outlined in a draft concept last year, the redesigned square would have three main spaces, each with their own character – a green zone with trees and water southeast of the cathedral, a youth-friendly meeting space by the new library, and a large event and meeting space on the western side.
New structures would create indoor areas and protect outdoor areas for activities such as markets. One option is for pavilions representing baskets of knowledge, connected by a translucent woven structure providing shelter like a korowai (woven cloak) or spider's web.
Laneways leading into the Square would be redesigned to allow for activities, including recreation. Priority would be given to pedestrians while allowing flexibility for the tram and other vehicles to use the space.
A meeting space by the library.
Paving designs creating an east-west axis were inspired by the design of the cathedral roof, and include a pātiki (flounder) design reflecting the concepts of whānau and community.
The new vision document and a 360-degree interactive panorama is on Regenerate Christchurch's website.
- Stuff
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