Roberts Day
south city christchurch south island, new zealand
South City precinct forms the gateway to central Christchurch from the coastal port. With the departure of industry, the area suffered from degradation and decay. Council engaged Roberts Day along with DPZ Pacific and Seth Harry & Associates Architects to develop a new vision for the area that would help re-energise the city.
The process involved the creation of a master plan and implementation strategy that revisited traditional land uses and activity distribution. The recommendations included the revitalisation of the city’s laneways and the creation of an urban school to attract new demographics.
In the eight years since the plan’s adoption, Christchurch has witnessed a transformation. Since South of Lichfield (SOL) opened up a series of service alleys with new retail frontages and a public square, the once hospitable environments have become some of the most desirable property in the city. Today, with many more developments following SOL’s lead, Christchurch has gained a reputation amongst tourists for having a fascinating streetscape filled with small bars and lanes brimming with life.