Abstract
The relationship between precincts, urban cores/central cities and urban planning is complex, and underutilised. Precincts typically require large lots of land to be vacant, or for the land to have a common-land use (i.e. recreation or retail) before it can be considered and planned for as a precinct. In New Zealand, the use of planned precincts is a concept which has been repurposed, after precincts had been phased out from global planning professions during the 1970s and 1980s. It has emerged as a contemporary urban planning tool in South Africa, USA, Australia and New Zealand. Existing areas which have similar land-uses, such as a tertiary area can be considered a precinct, and local governments may wish to protect the heritage, social and economic values. It is important to plan for these areas, as they can be at times what makes an urban area thrive. The urban core of cities globally have been in a gradual decline, as cities deal with the impacts of urban sprawl and the decentralisation of cities. But, what happens when a disaster occurs, a city crumbles, and vast amount of land is required to be demolished and becomes vacant? The years 2010 and 2011 saw two earthquakes cause significant damage to Canterbury and more specifically Christchurch, New Zealand. The urban core of Christchurch was destroyed, and both local and central governments were required to plan for the immediate and long term recovery of the urban core.
The research found that at present, there are indications that the use of precincts in Christchurch has the potential to reinstate the urban core of Christchurch to new economic, social and recreational levels. Along the journey to create the precincts in the central city, there has been friction, specifically from the wider Christchurch community, some of who believe that public engagement post-disaster 2011 became sub-ordinate when in the hands of central government, leaving many to wonder what the process would have been like under the leadership of local government. Creating a more enabling approach to precincts, including much greater involvement and discussions with communities, the private sector, stakeholders alongside respective forms of government. Recommendations for improving the use of precinct in planning frameworks include:
- Having a national definition of precinct planning;
- To have greater community involvement;
- Policy shift – Inclusion or alteration of planning regulations.
Adopting these recommendations may be the catalyst which sees the use of precinct planning regulated and used to encourage development, growth and economic prosperity in urban cores. By encouraging greater collaboration between the visions of national and local governments, stakeholders and local communities, may the true impact of precincts be felt.