Attempt to save Chch’s character

Press, 6 October 1987, Page 5

Attempt to save Chch’s character

A bid to save the character of Christchurch from the bulldozer is behind a meeting of city architects, landscapers, planners and preservationists tomorrow evening. Mr Peter Beaven, the architect who has initiated the meeting, wants areas of the city designated as "places” within the city’s District Scheme. Existing features of each "place,” including buildings, would be identified for preservation. “It is time we did something now before all these buildings are demolished,” Mr Beaven said. Examples he gave of "places” were the area round the synagogue in Gloucester Street, Victoria Square, and Lichfield Street. “These are areas with a special character essential to Christchurch and which, unless we do some-

thing, will disappear,” Mr Beaven said. Their features included rivers, landscaping and trees. All of the 15 to 30 areas had potential for redevelopment. “We have to be careful that we do not discourage the developers because that would defeat our aim. But we must encourage them to think creatively about the sites and develop them while retaining their features.” Mr Beaven suggested a system of bonuses allowing dispensations for developers who retained existing features within a designated "place.” “We do not want to set a design because people will only meet the minimum requirements. What we must encourage is an

attitude. By coming up with bonuses we can make it an attractive deal for developers while keeping the things that give Christchurch its character.” The City Planner, members of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, the Civic Trust, the Historic Places Trust, and the Landscape Institute have been invited to tomorrow’s meeting. The City Planner, Mr John Dryden, said the Christchurch City Council allowed floor-space from those other ethnic groups that find unity and strength in preserving the best elements of their own cultural tradition and background.”