The move out
Date
2017Citation:
Jones, C. (2017). The move out. (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional)). Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand. Retrieved from: https://hdl.handle.net/10652/4650Permanent link to Research Bank record:
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/4650Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION:
Using Christchurch’s Southern Corridor, how can a transport oriented, multi-use interchange, positively respond to transport issues present in Christchurch’s greater urban growth, whilst refocusing development patterns?
ABSTRACT:
Urban sprawl is dominating parts of Christchurch. Current land-use and growth plans allow this to happen, consistently releasing greenfield land for development to meet housing demands. This sprawled pattern of development is inefficient for promotion of sustainable transit, as housing layout and travel distance factor its demise. This has been driven by a city-wide reliance on private automobiles. Since the introduction of automobiles to Christchurch, urban form has manifested into vast low-density neighbourhoods. Since the earthquakes of 2010/2011, peripheral townships are receiving an influx of new residents – with housing subdivisions as a result. These are spread out, disconnected and lack community feel. Retail centres with massive car-parks dominate the ‘commercial heart’ of these towns – deterring pedestrians. Getting to these towns causes traffic congestion during peak times, and provides an issue for residents who must balance costs between travel and living.
This project aligns transport and its urban effects, investigating Christchurch’s current transport network and urban situation, examining the city’s automobile aligned growth patterns. It challenges the current transport proposals designed to keep the city moving. It will investigate public transport, and opportunities that lie in prioritising it, not only to relieve traffic issues, but also to reconsider urban growth patterns. It investigates how better access to transit, contributes to creation of community-oriented urban areas. The proposed scheme focuses on one of Christchurch’s main growth areas – the Southern Corridor, and hones in on Rolleston, a peripheral township receiving considerable sprawled growth. It explores how rethinking the current transport network affects Rolleston positively, culminating in a design for a transit-focused town centre, considering modern technologies to create a public space. Thus, aligns the network with urban interventions providing the best answer to alleviating current growth patterns. It examines in detail, the intervention’s opportunities and effects it may have.