Cathedral Square, Christchurch
From CollabLandWiki
History
- Cathedral Square from Worcester Street, 1907
- Before European settlement there was only a little Maori presence in the Canterbury area.
- In June 1848 Commissioner T. Kemp, on behalf of the Government, bought most of the coastal land between Kaiapoi and the Otago Heads and inland to Lake McKerrow from the Ngai Tahu for 2000 pounds, which was onsold to the New Zealand company.
- The land that became the Square was not used by the Maori although there had been kainga (settlements) on higher ground nearby.
- Initially there was little enthusiasm for the land (lots) around what was to become Cathedral Square
- In 1851 and for many years after Market Square (now known as Victoria Square and where Maori would come to sell thier produce) was considered the centre of the city.
- Once the Cathedral was completed in the 1870's buildings around the Square sprung up quickly and Cathedral Square became the centre of the city.
- Initially a cathedral in the western part of the square and a Anglican grammer school were planned as the Canterbury had set the site aside for 'educational and ecclesiastical purposes'.
- In 1857 the site planned for Christ's College was exchanged for its current site in the Botanic Garden.
- In 1862, In order for the cathedral to face the Square, the eastern block was reserved in 1862.
- During the slump of the 1850's unemployed immigrants were paid little to level the site and plant blue gum trees which remained for many years.
- A Victorian drinking fountain thought to be donated to the city by engineer John Anderson in approximately 1878 remained a feature of the square for amany years. Originally placed on the edge of the footpath on the southwest corner of the Bank of New Zealand building at the intersection of Hereford and Colombo. It became a traffic hazard and was moved to a safer place on the southwest corner of the Cathedral grounds. In approximately it was moved to the footpath outside the Cathedral's west door where it remained until 1936, where and when it eventually went remains a mystery.
 Trams in the square 1900 |
 Cathedral Square, Cathdral 1885 |
 Tivoli drawing |
 Drinking fountain |
 Historical Cathedral Square |
 Old Post office |
Timeline
- 1848, 21 March: Canterbury Association formed in London
- 1849, Captain Thomas chose present site of Christchurch for new settlement
- 1850, March: Edward Jollie completed survey and plan of Christchurch, December: First Four Ships arrived in Lyttelton
- 1851, 11th January: First issue of Lyttelton Times, 16th April: First sales of Christchurch town sections, Canterbury Association set aside Square for educational and ecclesiastical purposes
- 1853, 27th July: J. E. FitzGerald elected first Superintendent of Canterbury
- 1855, Canterbury Association transferred Square Reserve to Church Property Trustees
- 1857, Christ’s College received land in the Botanic Gardens in exchange for Square site
- 1861, 25th may: First Issue of The Press
- 1864, Commercial hotel opened
- 1866, Bank of New Zealand opened on Hereford St/Cathedral Square site
- 1867, 6th August: Godley statue unveiled on present site
- 1868, Lyttelton Times published evening paper, the Star
- 1874, Fred Hobbs became Mayor of Christchurch
- 1875, Commercial hotel renamed Warners
- 1878, Canterbury Tramway Company founded, First Dalgetys building erected in Square, Extension to Hereford Street frontage of Bank of New Zealand
- 1879, Central Post Office opened
- 1880, 9th march: First trams (steam) ran from Square to Railway Station, Tramway Company Sheds Built
- 1881, Christ Church Cathedral consecrated
- 1882, Chancery Lane put through, Three-storey extension to Warners hotel, facing south
- 1885, Cathedral Chambers built
- 1900, Wooden section of Warners Hotel destroyed by fire
- 1901, New Warners Hotel opened
- 1902, Christchurch tramway Board established
- 1904, Transepts and chancel added to cathedral
- 1905, First electric trams ran in Christchurch
- 1907, Extensions to the western end of northern frontage of the Post Office
- 1908, BNZ extended on Square frontage
- 1909, Christchurch Press building opened
- 1910, Fourth floor added to Warners Hotel
- 1914, First World War begins
- 1915, Everybody’s Theatre opened
- 1917, 8 September: Liberty cinema replaced northern end of Warners Hotel
- 1918, 5th March Godley Statue shifted to north of Cathedral
- 1924, Colonial Lane formed
- 1929, Lyttelton Times renamed Christchurch Times
- 1932, Woman’s Rest Room Opened
- 1933, April: Godleys statue restored to original site
- 1934, Everybody’s cinema remodelled and renamed Tivoli
- 1935, Christchurch Times ceases publication
- 1937, War Memorial unveiled
- 1939, Second World War begins
- 1954, Trams replaced by buses
- 1963-4, BNZ demolished
- 1965, Road across Cathedral frontage closed
- 1967, New BNZ building opened
- 1971, Tivoli cinema renamed Westend
- 1972, Road in front of Post office closed
- 1994, April: Public Toilets opened on site of Woman’s Rest Rooms, 15th July Westend cinema closed
- 1995, Tourist tram begins operation, November: Cathedral Visitors’ Centre opened
Orientation
The Square has been divided up into four quadrants (NW, NE, SE, SW) and then the Square or the cross that is the public realm. This originated from when the land lots were first surveyed and it is still referred to now. The number in the quadrant image are the land lot numbers.
The North-West Quadrant
- North west quadrant, 1923
- north west quadrant from the Cathedral spire, June 2006
Chancery Lane
Next to the AMP building is Chancery Lane. It is a privately owned lane that runs between Gloucester Street and Cathedral Square. Today each owner (the four properties facing the lane) are responsible for their part of the lane although the City Council cleans and asphalts the lane at the owners expense. Chancery Lane was put through in 1882. In recent decades Chancery Lane has lost much of its character, a small narrow lane with small shops to a wider thoroughfare with trendy boutiques. Where people cut through from Gloucester Street, do some shopping, dine and pray.
The North-East Quadrant
- North east quadrant from the Cathedral spire, June 2006
Colonial Lane
Just past the CML building is a small right-of-way called Colonial Lane. It is a privately owned lane that was formed in 1924 when the Colonial Mutual Assurance Society (CML) applied for an easement. In this year the public on foot or on horse was granted access to the right-of-way.It is another cut between Gloucester street and the Square. CML are responsible for its cleaning and maintenance.
Press Lane
Located between Warners and the Press Company building is Press Lane. It is a privately owned lane by the Press Company. In original plans it was to have a double dog leg shape but the police intervened and requested that it should be straight to be able to see one end from the other. Press Lane was open for the public to use for many years although as it became a place for muggings to happen it was closed at the southern end with wrought iron gates that are kept closed and locked
The South-East Quadrant
- View east from the Cathedral spire, 1890's
- View from the Cathedral Spire, June 2006
- View from Colombo St, June 2006
Westpac Lane/Customs lane
Beside the Government Building in the south east corner of the Square lies Customs Lane. It was used for many years as a bus park for the Christchurch Transport Board. In recent years private parking takes up most the space. A right-of-way was recently formed from Customs Lane and links Hereford street and the Square. It was named by the people who work in the area Westpak Lane after the bank that stands on the Hereford street corner. This lane services the buildings off it and cleaning and maintenance is the responsibility of the building owners.
The South-West Quadrant
- South West quadrant, 1923
- South West quadrant, June 2006
- South west quadrant from the Cathedral spire, June 2006
Strand Lane
Between the PostBank and the public toilets is Strand Lane. Named this after the original picture theatre that was on the neighbouring site. The lane was acquired by the City Council in 1925 as it was thought it would provide access to the womans rest rooms from Hereford street. It now provides a popular shortcut through to the Shades Arcade.
Connections
For connecting lanes look in '2. Orientation'.
High Street
Victoria Street
Colombo Street
Worcester Boulevard
Gloucester Street
Oneway Systems
Context
Christchurch Overview wikipedia
Christchurch City has a very dominant student presence with so many schools and universities in the area. With universities such as Lincoln University and University of Otago in close proximity. At the same time Christchurch, known as the 'Garden City' is demographically a senior citizens city, so there is this tension between older generation vs the youth of Christchurch.
One of the Christchurch City Council's aims over the next few years for Christchurch city is to bring people into the city to live. At the moment people are mostly lively in the suburbs around Christchurch, and these suburbs are continuing to spread. Creating a residential hub in Christchurch will change the dynamic of the city and activate alot of the dorminant spaces in the central city. The CCC are also working on upgrading the streets, bus systems, and renovation of the river. They are hoping to regenerate places like Cathedral Square by activating the space from the outside inwards.
There are many other Square's in Christchurch that are prominant:
Victoria Square
Victoria Square is always compared to Cathedral Square, with Cathedral Square being known as the front garden of Christchurch and Victoria Square known as the back garden. It sits along the Avon River and Colombo Street, its about a 5 minute walk from Cathedral Square. Victoria Square is everything Cathedral Square isn't, covered in grass, plenty of water not so much a thoughfare as a place people seek out, it is also more visable that Cathedral Square. Victoria Square was once the commercial heart of Christchurch, known then as Market Square. It is host to many of Christchurch's events.
The Square features statues of Queen Victoria (1903) and of Captain Cook (1932) and the floral clock. It is the site of the oldest of the city’s iron bridges, and also still there is a stone ramp leading down to the river, once used for watering horses.
Latimer Square
Latimer Square is about a 10 min walk from Cathedral Square it sits on Gloucester Street and Madras Street. Latimer Square is listed as a protected place in the City Plan, mirroring Cranmer Square in the original layout of Christchurch. Lined on all sides by mature trees and with a number of historic buildings facing onto it, the square continues to be an important inner city green space, as well as the principal park for eastside workers and residents of the Latimer neighbourhood. Over time though it has lost its original status as a prime destination for civic and community events, and essentially has become a place to pass through or drive and park around. Over the past few decades Latimer Square has declined and, as a result become under-utilised. Recently, improvements have been made to Worcester Street between Cathedral Square and Latimer Square, narrowing the carriageway to six metres.
Cranmer Square
Cranmer Square is on Kilmore Street, a 10 min walk from Cathedral Square and a 2 min walk to Hadley park. Cranmer Square mirrors Latimer Square in the original layout of Christchurch. Developed as part of an educational precinct in the 1860's. However, their focus has since changed from educational to residential and recreational uses. The Square is lined on the four edges by mature trees. Buildings around Cranmer Square are generally large two storey houses or multi-storey townhouses or apartments, and are very variable in age and character. Of particular importance to this SAM (Special Amenity Area Guides) is the way in which the buildings relate to the Square.
Hagley Park
Hagley Park has been a dominant feature of Christchurch since the 1850s.The space it covers is as large as the CBD of Christshurch. It is renowned for it's extensive acreage (161 hectures), its wide-open spaces and woodlands. The character description of Hagley Park as ‘English’ parkland is not a definitive description of a classical style of landscape design. Hagley Park is also a major sporting and cultural focal point.On a broader context, whilst Hagley Park appears to be an isolated open space, it is linked via the roadways and the Avon River to various other city reserves.
Avon River
The Avon River runs through Christchurch City. It begins in the mountains and runs to the sea, 25.75 km. It is narrow but deep. The Christchurch City Council are currently looking at the restoration of the river.
Climatic Conditions
Statistics
Canterbury has warm summers and cool to cold winters.
Maximum temperatures in summer are typically in the 27 degrees-33 degrees range. .
In winter the temperatures can range from 2 degrees-12 degrees.
The average rainfall is 129 days.
On average there is about 90 ground frosts per annum.
The warmest month is January
North-easterlies are the prevailing winds, but south-westerlies are almost as frequent. These are relatively cool winds and the north-easterlies at times bring low cloud or fog in over the city.
Effects on Square
The Climate has a huge effect on the Square and how people interact with the Square. The CCC are looking at improving the conditions of the Square by looking at how they can improve the shelter within the Square.
Very Exposed to wind, rain and snow and in summer the sun as there is limited shelter within the Square.
In Winter black ice on surface of square
The Square is a popular thoughfare though the city, but a large space that is condition to all the elements which makes it difficult to pass through in winter.
Sun/Shade analysis
 Longest Day (22nd December) |
 Shortest Day (21st June) |
Site Boundaries
Cathedral boundaries
The Cathedral sits on privately owned land. Including the space infront of the Cathedral, which is why often you'll see cars parked infront of the Cathedral. As well as spaces either side of the Cathedral, which includes mulitiple small carparks and open green space which holds the The Columbarium. There is no obvious boundary between private and public land.
Square Boundaries
The Council owns the rest of the land. Which has the form of a cross and the Cathedral sits in the middle of. There are four main artilleries into the square, with a number of small pedestrain lanes. The edges of the Square are formed by buildings, including several banks, Souvenir shops, hotels and cafes.
Materiality
Paving - all the pavement was changed (to much critism) in was imported from China and cost $5 million. The paving used to be consistant over the whole square but it was ripped up and replaced with asphalt over the roads as there was a feeling it was giving pedestrains a higher prority over vehicles.
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Trees - there are a number of large trees in Square. They are formally planted around the square, raised in planter boxes edged with seats. These provide the only shelter in the square. The CCC were thinking of bringing in more planting into the Sqaure in the form of removable tubs.
Grass- There is little grass in the Square except for on the Catherdral owned land and a little raised by Worcestor Street. The grass by Worcestor Street is raised so is not trampled to mud by the public. It is public opinion that there is more grass in the Square.
facades - The building facades are a jumble of contemporary buildings (mostly from the 70's and 80's) and heritage buildings. The heritage buildings are a mix of Gothic and classical styles.
Existing Infrastructure
Internal buildings
Police Kiosk
The Police Kiosk stands at the western edge of Cathedral Square. The Kiosk, which opened on 27 August 1986, was erected by Armitage Williams Construction Limited off site and transported to the Square. The cost of the building and its fittings was met almost entirely by donation.
The Cathedral Square location of the Kiosk has given the community a sense of security and allowed them to feel that the Square was an area they could venture into without the trepidation they may have previously experienced.
Police depot grew bigger than anticipated. Was intended for surveillance, now it is a the main Police inner city beat depot.
Surrounding Buildings
The buildings that surround Cathedral Square have a important role in how the Square in publically used.
Hospitality
Cafes
- Starbucks
- Yellow Rocket Bagels & Coffee
- Cathedral cafe
Bars
- Bar Saints and Sinners
- Warners Bar
- Bailies Bar
Resturants
- Element Resturant and Pizzeria
- Warners Resturant
- Tandoori palace
- Sushi bar
- Madisons
Hotels/Backpackers
Directly on the Square
- Millennium
- Heritage
- Quest
- Warners on the Square
- Camelot
- Base Backpackers
Within 100m radius
- Ridges Hotel
- Hotel off the Square
Banks
- Bnz
- Kiwi Bank
- Anz
Public facitities
Directly on the square
- Information Centre
- Public Toilets
- Post Office
Near by
- Library
Retail
Non Tourist shopping
- Telecom store
- Adventure Centre
- Starmart
- City Dairy
Tourist shopping
- DFS Galleria
- Southern Encounter & Kiwi House
- Sheepskins Unlimited
- E BlahBlah
- Natural New Zealand Souvenirs
- Currency Exchange
- Souvenirs Shop
- Backpackers World - Travel & Internet
- Simply New Zealand shop
- Pauaway New Zealand
- Naturally New Zealand Souvenirs
- Bureau de Change
Building Height
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Transportation
Cathedral Sqaure throughout it history has been an important transport artilery of the city.
Bus System
The Shuttle is Christchurchs electric inner city bus system that passes through Cathedral Square.
Because of its location, Christchurch suffers from pollution, particularly CO2 emissions. Vehicle transport accounts for almost 60 percent of the total transport emissions. The situation will continue to get worse.
The inner cultural and shopping centre is very spread out. Improved access is necessary to attract shoppers back from the suburban malls.
These problems caused the Christchurch City Council to form a partnership with passenger operator, Redbus, and coach manufacturer, designline, to launch the Shuttle in December 1998.
The service operates every ten minutes during the day and fifteen minutes in the evenings, seven days a week. Vehicles travel 90 to 150 kms daily.
Tram
Christchurch Tramway is a inner city tour system that combines the heritage of the trams, attractions and historic buildings with the culture of Christchurch City.
The trams were a part of Christchurch City in the latter part of the 19th century, with horse drawn and steam trams running services to many parts of the city. 1905 saw the introduction of the electric tram as an integral part of the city's transport system, where they remained until the 1950's. In 1954, the last of the familiar green and cream trams disappeared from Christchurch streets.
Due to the dedication of the Tramway Historical Society, the vision of the Christchurch City Council and the management of Christchurch Tramway Ltd, we saw the successful return of the trams to the streets of Christchurch in February 1995.
Vehicular
Pedestrian
Programmes
- The Cathedral is a living house of prayer for the City
- Outdoor Craft and Vatiety market offering handcrafted and imported goods for sale
- Pedestrian thoroughfare (see connection
- Is Christchurch cities main public events space
 Go Black promotion |
 Crusaders victory parade |
 Penis Day event |
 Naval Parade |
 40hr Famine promotion |
 Christchurch's 150th Celebration |
Black promotion victory parade Day event Parade Famine promotion 150th Celebration
Pedestrian Movement
Cultural Significance
The Cathedral
Ngai tahu memorial
The Chalice
The Collumbarium
War memorial
4 Ships Memorial
Post office Clock
Godley Statue
The Press
People Response
Proposed Developements
Site SWOT
A Business Centre
Strengths
• Over 30,000 employees in Central City forming a large customer and activity base • Prime retail area in Christchurch combined with the largest concentration of business floor space • Growing tourism market and visitors • Diversity of activities within the commercial core – office, retail, service, entertainment, tourism • Quantity and quality of shopping • Events and attractions – centre market, arts festival • Shuttle and bus exchange assisting movement to and around the business district
Weaknesses
• Perception that it is easier to locate in the malls in terms of access, parking, communication and information • Perception of lack of safety • Co-ordinated marketing (retail and business) needs significant improvement • Cathedral square with few retail activities in the middle of the shopping precinct • Vacant office and retail space • Difficult to achieve a compact pedestrian-orientated retail core (i.e. existing shopping area to large) • High cost/rentals
Opportunities
• Increase tourism opportunities • Free parking/reduced parking costs • Increased retail and office activity • More activity in/surrounding Cathedral square • Further conversion of vacant office space to hotels and apartments • Increase in education facilities/institutes
Threats
• Decentralisation of business • New and expanding suburban malls • Restriction on vehicle access without quality/adequate alternatives • Electronic retail/electronic business • Redevelopment costs in older buildings – earthquake strengthening etc • Loss of business to other New Zealand and offshore cities
Revitalising the Heart of Our City
Development of a Central City Strategy – Stage 1
Christchurch City Council, February 2001
A Living Centre
Strengths
• Over 30,000full and part time employees • 6600 existing residents • Existing variety of community and leisure/entertainment facilities and public open space • Ready vehicular and pedestrian accessibility within and around Central City
Weaknesses
• Approx. two thirds non living zones, in which residential activity not primary purpose • Cost of conversion of existing buildings to residential • Limited on and off street parking in existing residential zones, with intrusion of commuter parking • Central city resident population is only 2% of the total Christchurch population
Opportunities
• Existing capacity (buildings and sites) for population growth • Making Central City an exciting and desirable place to live
Threats
• Higher existence of/potential for residential nuisance, e.g. noise • Increase in traffic flow • Prevailing social conditions and their effect on crime • Personal and property safety • Businesses choosing to relocate to, or establish in, suburban centres, thereby threatening the viability of the Central City
Revitalising the Heart of Our City
Development of a Central City Strategy – Stage 1
Christchurch City Council, February 2001
Social Wellbeing
Strengths
• There are lots of social services and community developments in the Central City • Diversity of existing central city communities e.g. development on High street • Christchurch is small enough that many ‘suburbs’ already feel central • Attracts lots of young to live and play in the inner city • Tourists and international visitor presence
Weaknesses
• Differences in vision and desire for change • Social services are moving to the suburbs • Range of different ideas on what the central city should be and concept of public space • Easier for young families to shop at malls • Effects of drinking culture; not enough monitoring
Opportunities
• Arts centre for other groups in other locations • Make more diverse entertainment available • Celebrate and maintain diversity and public space • Encouragement of communities on the East side to develop and celebrate their identities • Create a focus for the wider community • Make city safer for all • Better public transport and more late buses
Threats
• ‘Business’ attempting to relocate clients of alcohol and drug agencies • Not everyone has the same inner city vision • Concentrating on the inner city threatens communities elsewhere which may be ‘the hear’ for some • ‘Homogenising’ the city will ruin it
Revitalising the Heart of Our City
Development of a Central City Strategy – Stage 1
Christchurch City Council, February 2001
A Heritage Centre
Strengths
• Central city retains a large number of heritage buildings, sites and character streetscapes • City identifies with key heritage structures – the Cathedral, Arts Centre, Museum, Government buildings • Complete streetscapes of heritage buildings survive • Strong architectural tradition that has produced much of enduring quality in only 150 years • Strong community support and feeling for heritage retention and heritage issues • City plan/Council policies and annual funding established to support heritage retention • City council ownership and administration of significant heritage buildings, sites and objects
Weaknesses
• Many buildings ‘earthquake prone’ and require seismic upgrade to meet present building Act requirements • Materials and general layout means fire protection and egress often problematic • Raised floor levels and high floors means poor access • Modern demands for parking, internal environments, technology and access generally not well met by heritage buildings
Opportunities
• ‘Heritage’ has become a marketable commodity particularly in cultural tourism • Unique design features, character, natural light and ventilation compared with modern buildings • Tourist growth – visual attractions of heritage and character buildings help shape community identity and sense of place • Education/advocacy – understanding of the past and of its role in the future • Council/Central City Board taking a lead role in heritage preservation in partnership with the private sector
Threats
• Earthquake and fire risks and building inadequacies • High cost of meeting Building Act requirements for continued and new use of heritage buildings • Development threat – requirements for modern space and structure • Poor maintenance leading to demolition by neglect • Commercial and domestic development density pressure
Revitalising the Heart of Our City
Development of a Central City Strategy – Stage 1
Christchurch City Council, February 2001
An Attractive and Healthy Centre
Strengths
• Garden City • Avon River • Hagley Park • Botanic Gardens • Cathedral Square • Victoria Square • Cranmer and Latimer Square • Victoria street triangle, High Street triangle • Worcester Boulevard, Colombo Street, City Mall and Oxford Terrace • Pedestrian friendly
Weaknesses
• Unclean/uncomfortable pedestrian environments • Breaks in the pedestrian amenity linkage • Scooters/skateboards on footpaths/ hard surfaces • Personal safety, especially at night
Opportunities
• Enhance natural assets • Support residential development with increased private open space • Upgrade existing parks • Improved information signage • Clean street programme • City host programme
Threats
• Lack of activity surrounding open spaces e.g. Cathedral Square • Traffic increases and associated noise, pollution and congestion • Lost opportunities for integrated development and open space provisions
Revitalising the Heart of Our City
Development of a Central City Strategy – Stage 1
Christchurch City Council, February 2001
A Cultural Centre
Strengths
• Heritage buildings • Character group areas of buildings • Arts Centre • Polytech • Festivals: Summertimes, Buskers • Cafes/Nightlife • Town Hall • Movie Theatres • High Street precinct • New Art Gallery • Museum • Central City Schools • Multi-cultural diversity
Weaknesses
• Lack of entertainment and facilities for youth/children • Poor cultural integration and celebration of different cultures • Few public artworks
Opportunities
• A Central City produce market • Develop arts precincts within the Central City e.g. High Street and New Regent Street • Strengthening of links with overseas festivals/performers/ companies • More frequent and longer performances in Cathedral Square • Increasing ethnic diversity
Threats
• Heritage building demolition • Public not accepting public art as a legitimate use of Council funds – waste of money • Monoculturalism and lack of support for small but increasing ethnic diversity fails to retain new immigrants
Revitalising the Heart of Our City
Development of a Central City Strategy – Stage 1
Christchurch City Council, February 2001
An Accessible Centre
Strengths
• Reasonably accessible central City with fairly low traffic congestion • Flexible grid road network system • Good parking facilities (on street and off street) • Free central city shuttle for a reasonable portion of the commercial area • Improving public transport system including new bus exchange (integrated with retail) and significant recent and planned service improvements • A number of pedestrian priority areas including Cashel Mall, Cathedral Square, High Street, Worcester Boulevard • Improving cycle lanes • Roading hierarchy which supports separated uses – 4 avenuse, One-Way streets, two-way commercial streets, etc.
Weakness
• Parking management and pricing policies could be better to support retail activity and reduce congestion • Not enough priority for pedestrians and cyclists • Traffic speeds appear too fast on some streets • Through traffic on one-way streets and under-utilised Avenues (Fitzgerald, Moorhouse and Bealey) • One-way streets and turn bans are difficult for tourists/visitors to understand
Opportunities
• To remove unnecessary through traffic • Managing traffic demand to better utilise our transport infrastructure and to integrate transport modes • Further improvements to the free Central City shuttle in both frequency and coverage in the commercial and residential areas • Improving pedestrian and cyclist priority in the core commercial area • Improving public transport to and from the suburbs • Further improvement of the use of the tram
Threats
• Increase in traffic congestion • General increases in motor vehicle use with associated relative declines in walking, cycling and public transport • Higher accessibility to suburban malls threatens commercial viability of Central City • Parking policies which discourage retail (and business) in Central City
Revitalising the Heart of Our City
Development of a Central City Strategy – Stage 1
Christchurch City Council, February 2001
Site topography
Significant Landmarks
Cathedral
The Christchurch Cathedral is built with local stone in the Gothic Revival style, with a slate roof with timber trusses made of local Matai and Totara from Banks Peninsula.
The first Bishop, Henry John Chitty Harper, arrived in Christchurch in 1856 before the building of the Cathedral was begun. Plans were commissioned from george Gilbert Scott, a well known English architect, with Robert Speechly acting as superintendent of the work. Although foundations were laid in 1864 a recession in the late 1860's bought buildings to a standstill. By 1873 it was restarted with Benjamin Mountfort as supervising architect. Completed to the end of the nave, it was consecrated in 1881 and named after Christ Church in Oxford, England, the college with which many of the leading colonists, including John Robert Godley were connected.
The trancepts and the chancel were added in 1904, making the Cathedral complete. Vesteries and a chapter room were added in 1962, and extensive restoration was carried out before the centennary in 1981.
A visitor centre has now been constructed to the north of the cathedral, situated behind the War Memorial, for as well as being a place to worship and a focus for many public occasions, teh Cathedral has become a significant and popular place for tourists to visit. After a nationwide architectural competition and fund-raising for the $1.4 million required, building commenced in February 1995. The architect, Alun Wilkie of Wilkie and Bruce Architects, Christchurch, developed the concept of the competition prize-winner Larsen Arcitects of Hamilton. The building has been sited and constructed so as to complement and respect the style of the Cathedral. The visitors centre was opened on 4th November 1995.
Godley Statue
On 6 August, 1867, a public holiday was declared for the citizens of Christchurch to commemorate the 'founding father of Canterbury' - John Robert Godley (1814-1861). In his memory a bronze statue was unveiled on this day in Cathedral Square.
Four years earlier, in 1863, an English sculptor, Thomas Woolner had been engaged to carry out the monument's commission. Woolner was a leading British sculptor and member of the English Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The Pre-Raphaelites were part of a movement advocating a return to the realistic depiction of nature. Woolner worked from photos to create a realistic representation of Godley.
The statue was cast in bronze at Coalbrookdale foundry and there are claims that the metal used for the statue was from guns captured at Sebastopol during the Crimean war 1854-1856. Before travelling to New Zealand the statue was exhibited at the South Kensington Museum in London.
Back in Christchurch William Brassington was instructed to make the plinth out of Hoon Hay stone. However the dimensions were wrong and this caused a delay of nine months while another was made. During this time Godley was placed outside and had to withstand wind and rain with just a canvas cover.
Finally in front of a 2000 strong crowd, the Christchurch magistrate Charles Bowen, who had once been Godley's private secretary, unveiled the statue. Godley remained steadfast in the Square until 5 March, 1918, when he was moved to make way for a tram shelter and toilets. However, these facilities were later demolished and Godley was allowed to return to his original position in 1933.
The statue now faces the Cathedral, which is unusual for statues as they normally face away from Cathedrals. But he is placed this way so he can overlook the Cathedral and Christchurch, as the founder of Canterbury.
http://www.christchurchartgallery.org.nz
The War Memorial
Following the First World War many memorials were proposed for Christchurch and one, The Bridge of Remembrance, was opened on Armistace Day, 11th November 1924. However it wasnt untill 1933 when the Godley statue was replaced in its original position, did a spce open in the Square for a War memorial.
The design of Christchurch born William Trethewey follows closely the requirements of the Cathedral Chapter. The mandatory cross was made from Portland stone left over from the building of the Auckland Museum. The cross sprouted from a group of six allegorical figures. The figures symbolised youth, justice, peace, sacrifice, valour and victory. Trethewey retained individual features by basing his figures on actual people. For example, peace imitated the character of his daughter and youth was modelled on one of his workmen. The figures were cast at A.B Burtons foundry in England under the supervision of Trethewey.
The Citizen's War Memorial was unveiled on the 9 June, 1937, a date that was nineteen years after the end of the war, it is possibly the best memorial in New Zealand to the dead of the first World War.
Round The Square - A History of Christchurch's Cathedral Square New Zealand Federation of university Women Canterbury Branch, 1995
Four Ships
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The Cathedral Columbarium
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In 1999 Royal Associates, a Christchurch-based architectural firm were commissioned by the Christchurch Cathedral Chapter to design a columbarium or ‘final resting place’ for the citizens of Christchurch in the heart of the city. The project was designed to link the past with the future, and fittingly, was completed a week before Canterbury’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
Using the types of spiritual imagery they typically draw on in work for Maori clients, the architects have revealed chapters in the story of Maori and European settlement of Canterbury at the start of the new millennium. Symbolising the womb as the centre of life and where the ashes return to “parent” earth, the columbarium embodies narratives of life and death, arrival and departure. The intention of these narratives is to enable the visitor to become part of an experiential, reflective journey, while enhancing an awareness of their place in the history of Christchurch.
The columbarium has been placed so as not to encroach on the Square and compared to the Cathedral, the scale could be described as intimate. Situated along the south side of the Cathedral, a pathway leads from the south door of the Pacific Chapel to a “two pointed oval” symbolising the womb, the centre of life. This curved pathway sweeps back to the Pacific Chapel door, linking the columbarium with the cathedral where a memorial book contains the names of the 700 urns housed behind bronze plaques in the columbarium wall. The walls of the columbarium echo the bluestone of the Cathedral alongside, as does the pathway.
Christ Church Cathedral Columbarium A Creative Act: Practising Critique, By Wendy Hoddinott
The Chalice
The Chalice, a permanent sculpture located in Christchurch's Cathedral Square, celebrates the new millennium and the 150th Anniversary of the founding of Christchurch and Canterbury by the Canterbury Association. Commissioned by the the Turning Point 2000 Trust, they asked Neil Dawson to produce a major contemporary, public artwork for Christchurch.
The Chalice stands 18 metres high and is 1.2 metres in diameter at the ground and 8.5 metres in diameter at the top. The conical shape mirrors the spire of Christchurch Cathedral, as well as reflecting a whirl wind from the North West winds, prominant in the Canterbury region.
The Chalice has a solid steel base up to approximately three metres above the ground and beyond that comprises a perforated network of 42 aluminium shapes depicting the leaves of native trees that previously grew in the city area. The leaves depicted are mapou, kowhai, mahoe, totara, karamu, titoki, ngaio, maratata and koromiko.
The 42 leaf patterns – complex constructions made up of computer routed shapes – are also intended to reflect the geometric features of the Cathedral, architecture, windows and tiles. As the leaves become larger, higher up the sculpture, they also become more detailed and less dense. The open texture of the artwork allows views into and through it.
www.ccc.govt.nz
Athfields Wall
Ngai Tahu Memorial
Post Office Clock
Cathedral Square by Night
 Cathedral land |
 Night lighting |
 Night security |
 Seat lighting |
 Area by Starbucks |
Tourism
Participants
- Remi Bint at User:Remi
- Jennifer Fowler at User:Jen
- Hollie Woodhouse at User:Hollie
- James Stephenson at User:James
Cathedral Square Precedents
Outrageous, radical urban Spaces
Parc de la villette , France
Millennium Park - Chicago, 2004 Interaction with programme, New Tecnologies
Body Movies, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer Interactive Technologies
Schouwvurplein – Rotterdam, 1992 interaction with programme/icon
Freeway Park – Seattle, America, Lawrence Halprin
Levi Plaza San Francisco, America, Lawrence Halprin
Jacob Javitz Plaza – New York, 1995 Martha Swartz icon urban forms, viewed from above, interactive site
Louis Jeantet Foundation, Geneva, 1995 Domino Architects Interaction with design, sub-level - viewed from above, intergration with building
Memorial to the to the murdered Jews, 2005, Peter Isenman Interaction with design
Formal Squares
Place des Terraux, Lyon Plaza, France Christain Drevet Interactive Edges, significant Monument, flat site
Plaza de los Fueros, Estella, 1993 Fancisco Jose Mangado Beloqui Flat, activated edges, underground building
Place du Marche, Vitly-sur-Sine Alexander Chenetoff unprogrammed flat site
Marugame Station Plaza, Marugame, 1992 - Peter Walker and Partners tensions between vehicles and people
Smithfield Market, McGary niEanaigh Architects
Bradford City, 2004 Will Alsop Four Quadrants
Fossar de les Moreres, Barcelon, Spain, 1989 Carme Fiol urban room, flat space, everday use of square while also identifying a symbolic space
Squares that don't work
Square of Adelaide - Bare Squares - future directions for Adelaide's urban public space
Cathedral Square Theory
External links
- Wikipedia Cathedral Square entry
- Christchurch City Council
- The Fabric of Christchurch 1850 - 1880
- Square Webcam
- Christchurch City Library
- Christchurch Cathedral Site
- Cathedral Square markets
Contacts List
Lincoln University
Dr Jacky Bowring Associate Professor – Lincoln University 03 325 3804 or 03 325 2811 ext. 8439 bowringj@kea.lincoln.ac.nz
Earthwork
Wendy Hoffmott – Former Student - wendy@earthwork.co.nz
Shephard & Rout – Landscape Architect – 03 366 1562
David Shephad - dsheppard@sheprout.com Rob Watson - rtwatson@xtra.co.nz Jasper – (works with david Sheppard)
Christchurch City Council
Ross Herrit – Cathedral Square Project Manager 03 941 8863 Ross.Herrett@ccc.govt.nz
Dave Hinman – Senior City Planner 03 941 8804
Maurice Roers – Senior City Planner 03 941 8960 maurice.roers@ccc.govt.nz
Amanda Fiddes – Events development coordinator 03 941 8163 027 2495873 amanda.fiddes@ccc.govt.nz
Peter Rough Landscape Architects Limited
Peter Rough St Elmo Courts 47 Hereford St PO Box 3764 Christchurch NEW ZEALAND peter.rough@prla.co.nz
