Urgent Need To Plan Square Seen

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30152, 8 June 1963, Page 12

Urgent Need To Plan Square Seen

Urgent consideration of a thorough investigation into proposals which would permanently retain the individual character of Christchurch Cathedral and Cathedra) square is urged in a statement issued yesterday by the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects.

The chairman of the branch (Mr Paul Pascoei said a copy was to be forwarded to the Christchurch City Council

The matter was of greater importance to Christchurch than many people realised If an over-all proposal retaining the character of the Cathedral and its surround mgs were not carried out the Cathedra] might be overwhelmed and the Square deteriorate into a jumble of building* and traffic, said the statement The.statement said: “In Cathedral square Christchurch is blessed as few cities are. with a civic asset of immeasurable worth. Reverence for thing* of the spirit was one of the ideals upon which the eitv and the province were f >unded The cathedral seat the very heart of the city symbolises both this traditional basis of-the city and one of the intangible, bu* enduring qualities, that animate ’he life of the community “Around the cathedra stand the buildings th aframe the picture and between lies the open space that links ’he two together These three element* of the Square have never been truly related to form an in tegrated design but so lon* a« the surrounding building' and the traffic remained com-

partively ’subordinate. the cathedral provided a unifying influence that has given to the Square its own special character.

Because of this, and because of their 'ally association with it, and the opportunity rt has afforded for their joining together on important civic occasions the people of Christchurch have come to regard the Square as a special place that is peculiarly a part of Christchurch.

“Changes are coming to Christchurch, as they mus: and should, and the effec that some may have upon the Square, its function and its visual form, is a matte’ of interest and concern to all "Architects, by their training and experience in design carry a greater responsibility than most people in matters that affect the appearance of our towns It was with a sense of this respon sibility that, at a recen' meeting the members of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects resolved to draw the attention of the people of Christchurch to the possibilities and to the dangers affecting the future of the Square, as the architects see them It was hoped ate that this might afford en eoutagement to those who have already given some thought to the developmenof the Square and who carry the responsibility for moulding its future form and function Profound Changes “Developments that are already taking place. and ithers that can be expected will bring profound changes oarticularly to the centra! city areas These changes are to be welcomed, providing as hey db. the opportunity for ■egeneration—to discard that which has served its purpose and to retain that which has proved itself. If, however,

each development is not coordinated into som over-ali conception, but left to go its separate way, the central areas can only disintegrate into unrelated traffic-ways and buildings, and that which is good in the heritage of the city will be overwhelmed What really is needed is not so much a specific plan but a general proposal that could inform and illumine each particular development as it occurs.

“The Cathedral that has so far given unity and character to the Square is not large It is an intimate, welcoming building, in scale with human values and derives part of its charm and virtue from this very fact It is not a domineering building and because of this it could so easily be overwhelmed and crushed. “This is not to say that tall buildings could not have their proper place in Cathedral square, that all traffic should be removed from it and that in the future, its character form and function may not change. But if the three elements of the Square—the Cathedral, the surrounding buildings and the open space between—do not. all three contribute to an integrated •Resign. stemming from an over-all conception. Christ church is in danger of losing the opportunity for creating one of the few ‘set pieces’ that all towns should have, and of destroying a unique part of its heritage. Ways and Means

“It is keenly appreciated that the problems involved in achieving such a design are complex and difficult They involve not only arriving at some acceptable over-all conception. but of finding the ways and means of realising it

“It is appreciated also that if the task is to be adequately done the Square cannot be considered in isolation.

Cathedral square lies in the heart of the central business district. What then is its function to be in this scene? Because this will determine, very largely, the .'orm and ap pearance it should take Should it be regarded, say. as an integral part of the business district that lies aboui it or should it be treated as an area apart that separating one part of the centre from another. provides a pause and a place of quiet in the midsi of the city’s bustle? And what should be its relationship to the new civic centre—another of the city's few ‘set pieces’—that will lie only a short distance away in Victoria square? “To resolve these problems, to produce an over-ali proposal for the square, and indeed to determine the practicability of such a proposal, requires a thorough investigation It is further suggested that such an investigation should be entered into with no preconceived ideas The future function and place of the square in the city scene, the relationship between the three eleMments of tlie square—the cathedral, the surrounding buildings and the open space between—and the. practicability of any proposal. should flovb out of and be the purpose of the investigations "The Canterbury architects are convinced that this is the only way and that the matter of setting the investigations m hand is urgent Therefore and with all respect, they would urge the City Council to initiate the necessary studies as soon as possible It is appreciated that these in themselves will be complex covering and combining, as they must, a numberof considerations—town planning. architectural, traffic, business and the cathedral authorities. Whether the work is undertaken by members of the council staff, by professional consultants or

through a combination of the two, is for the council to decide. “If, however, the council considers the branch could assist in working out how the studies might best be initiated it will be very pleased to do so. The branch also appreciates that a task of this magnitude involves time and money and urges all citizens to support and encourage the council in any action it decides to take. Time is Short

“This is a matter of urgency and of greater importance to Christchurch than many people possibly realise. New buildings are already going u.p. ofliers are being planned, and bricks and mortar are not easily disearded or replaced Other related projects of far-reaching effect, such as the master transportation plan and the distribution of car-parking facilities about the city centre are in the planning stage The urgent need is for some over-all proposal in which all these can be considered together and related “If this is not done the cathedral may be overwhelmed and the square deteriorate into a jumble o! buildings and traffic. If this were to happen. Cathedral square as a place of tradition and character, would be lost beyond recall."