Central City Living

Townhouses and apartments are increasingly becoming an integral part of inner-city Christchurch. This development is similar to trends experienced internationally and in other large New Zealand cities. Since 1991, 409 units have been built in residential zones within the four avenues of central Christchurch and an additional 95 units have been constructed in inner city commercial areas. In the year to June 1996 alone, a total of 100 units were built throughout the Central City (Table 1.14). This is nearly twice the number built in 1995.

 

Source: Christchurch City Council

 

It is interesting to note that most of the redevelopment in Central City commercial areas involves the construction of new buildings rather than the conversion of existing commercial sites. However there have been some conversions such as the refurbishment of the P & D Duncan Foundry, the first floor flats in Colombo street opposite the South City Mall and the Old Port Authority building on the corner of Manchester Street and Chester Street East.

Construction of Rural Dwellings

Overall, the number of houses built in rural zones is very low compared to other parts of the City. Between 1991 and 1996 a total of 157 consents were issued for residential housing in rural zones [36]. This was less than 2 percent of total building activity for the City during this period. Since 1991, the number of residential building consents issued for rural zones has ranged from 21 to 37 per annum [37] (Table 1.15).

 

Figure 1.30 shows, the location of new rural zoned dwellings by year since 1991.

 

 

Land Rezoned from Rural to Urban Use

Between July 1990 and June 1995, 93.3 hectares of rural zoned land was rezoned from rural to urban use[38] as a result of Plan changes. Of this land 42 hectares was rezone industrial while 51 hectares were rezoned residential. During the year to June 1996 an addition 11.7 hectares were rezoned residential. Currently the rezoning of 80 hectares of rural land to residential is subject to planning tribunal appeals, while tribunal decisions are pending on the rezoning of nearly 19 hectares (Table 1.16).

 

Source: Christchurch City Council

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