CHRISTCHURCH REBUILD> BRICK BY BRICK

[Milan Luka]

Avon River

Meandering throughout the central city is the River Avon. Its as famous to us as Hagley Park or the Cathedral. A real asset to the city, its almost a tourist attraction in its own right. Lunchtime, its banks are overrun by office girls. After dark, everyone from locals dining out, Japanese taking photos to teens snogging in the quiet corners. Relatively clean, its supports wildlife; home to eels, ducks, even brown trout. Since the quake the river has changed a little, its maintaining its course, but for now its water level seems to be fluctuationg, currently an extra foot deeper.

[Milan Luka]

[SYDNEY]

Thanks for all of the pix, it is so heart wrenching to see one of my favorite cities in this sad state I don't know how you all do it but you are very strong to still have some faith in CHCH .... Do you honestly think that it can be saved ?

[Davee]

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

Thanks for all of the pix, it is so heart wrenching to see one of my favorite cities in this sad state I don't know how you all do it but you are very strong to still have some faith in CHCH .... Do you honestly think that it can be saved ?

Sydney - honestly, from the deepest part of my heart - Christchurch will recover and will shine so brightly and succed in ways we can't even dream of at this dark time. It will truly be The Garden City - The City Most Beautiful

I remind everyone of the cities motto: Founded in Faith, Rich in the Fruits of Her Labour, Bold is Her Claim on the Future.

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by Davee

Sydney - honestly, from the deepest part of my heart - Christchurch will recover and will shine so brightly and succed in ways we can't even dream of at this dark time. It will truly be The Garden City - The City Most Beautiful

I remind everyone of the cities motto: Founded in Faith, Rich in the Fruits of Her Labour, Bold is Her Claim on the Future.

I am so pleased to read that, when you see it on the news it looks as if it is a lost cause but as long as people stay committed to the city I am sure that you are right. Thanks Davee sweety

[christos-greece]

I am watching those last photos, those tall buildings there: as i thought that they are OK but the fense on ground level, in the street means that they have (static) problems. But i cant see a problem in those buildings. Do you know if those buildings have problems or not?

[Davee]

Originally Posted by christos-greece

I am watching those last photos, those tall buildings there: as i thought that they are OK but the fense on ground level, in the street means that they have (static) problems. But i cant see a problem in those buildings. Do you know if those buildings have problems or not?

We are waiting to here, some of them have already been Red Stickered, so we are just waiting for the Demolition Teams to come and take them down. Our man on the ground with keep us updated with pictures as that happens - wont he Luka........ ;-)

[Davee]

One of the most stunning Cathedrals in the Southern Hemesphere - it's fate is now being decided by the Authorities One of the cities best loved treasures - I only hope it will be saved and rebuilt in a more stunning location

[Zanovijetalo]

I have friends living in Christchurch, but after this recent quake they started to consider leaving the place. But good to read you locals here so optimistic, with that spirit I’m sure the city will bounce back.

What about these plans to build a “Kiwi copy of Copenhagen”? Guess it’s still a matter of public debate.

[KIWIKAAS]

^l || |P
| ♥~♥ TRUCK ON CHRISTCHURCH! ♥~♥ ||”"”;..\___.
|……_______________| l______________l _||__|…, ]P
“(@)’(@)”""""""*l'(@)l'(@)l """"""""""""""(@)'(@)""""'(@)

[Davee]

Originally Posted by KIWIKAAS

^l || |P
| ♥~♥ TRUCK ON CHRISTCHURCH! ♥~♥ ||”"”;..\___.
|……_______________| l______________l _||__|…, ]P
“(@)’(@)”""""""*l'(@)l'(@)l """"""""""""""(@)'(@)""""'(@)

Hoorah for the KAAS!!!

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by Zanovijetalo

I have friends living in Christchurch, but after this recent quake they started to consider leaving the place. But good to read you locals here so optimistic, with that spirit I’m sure the city will bounce back.

What about these plans to build a “Kiwi copy of Copenhagen”? Guess it’s still a matter of public debate.

Zdravo Zanovijetalo, kako si? Sad to see you friends are looking at leaving. But then I totally understand where they are coming from. There's no denying things are tough going here for most people right now.

The Copenhagen of NZ has been mentioned a few times. The main points being put forward is for a compact low rise high density cbd. Many mixed use buildings, traffic calming, everything within easy access. And get as many people living in the city centre as possible.

Hvala.

Originally Posted by christos-greece

I am watching those last photos, those tall buildings there: as i thought that they are OK but the fense on ground level, in the street means that they have (static) problems. But i cant see a problem in those buildings. Do you know if those buildings have problems or not?

The whole areas cordoned off for safety reasons. Yep plenty of building that look ok are undermined and will go, however there are still many which will be ok. For now, while everything is still a mess and where averaging about 8 aftershocks a day, its far too dangerous to let many business owners, let alone the general public into most of the central city.

And as Davee said, I'll be keeping things updated.

Originally Posted by KIWIKAAS

^l || |P
| ♥~♥ TRUCK ON CHRISTCHURCH! ♥~♥ ||”"”;..\___.
|……_______________| l______________l _||__|…, ]P
“(@)’(@)”""""""*l'(@)l'(@)l """"""""""""""(@)'(@)""""'(@)

Thats gold. I love it!

[Milan Luka]

Cranmer Square

This inner city neighbourhood is a real gem. Mainly residential and just a few minutes walk to Cathedral Square, Hagley Park, exclusive schools and the cafes and boutiques of Victoria Street. This has always been a desirable place to live, although out of the price range of most.

Its suffered pretty hard in the series of earthquakes. Unfortunately this is one part of the central city that will look very different.

[Milan Luka]

[christos-greece]

Originally Posted by Milan Luka

The whole areas cordoned off for safety reasons. Yep plenty of building that look ok are undermined and will go, however there are still many which will be ok. For now, while everything is still a mess and where averaging about 8 aftershocks a day, its far too dangerous to let many business owners, let alone the general public into most of the central city.

And as Davee said, I'll be keeping things updated.

Thanks Milan Luka i will follow this thread every day to see any updates. I hope good updates... and btw:
how many people are in the city right now?

[eastadl]

thanks for your photo updates Luka, very sad to see though

[Zanovijetalo]

Originally Posted by Milan Luka

Zdravo Zanovijetalo, kako si? Sad to see you friends are looking at leaving. But then I totally understand where they are coming from. There's no denying things are tough going here for most people right now.

The Copenhagen of NZ has been mentioned a few times. The main points being put forward is for a compact low rise high density cbd. Many mixed use buildings, traffic calming, everything within easy access. And get as many people living in the city centre as possible.

Hvala.

Hey Milan Luka, where did you pick up these Croatian phrases? You Croat originated? Related to that Botica guy?
Anyway these friends I mentioned were for some reason really freaked out with that recent strong shake, although they were rather determined about staying in ChCh after that first most tragic one. What I can say is that I hope you will manage to built a city that resembles Copenhagen in a way, as when I visited I found it to be an ultra friendly and urban and walkable and organized place.

Thanks for keeping us updated

[SYDNEY]

Man this is so heartbreaking Thanks Luka, I know that this can't be easy for you but it gives people like us a better indication of what is really happening there. Hang in there mate and we can't wait to see you when you are up in Auckland

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by christos-greece

Thanks Milan Luka i will follow this thread every day to see any updates. I hope good updates... and btw:
how many people are in the city right now?

Thanks mate, more updates to come.

As for the population right now? Its anyones guess really. Immediately after the Feb quake the population went from 400,000 down to about 330,000 overnight. Some people have come back but also more people are leaving too. Ive heard we are down to anywhere between 350k to 380k. Those numbers are still very fluid, everybody knows someone who has left town 'for good.'

Originally Posted by eastadl

thanks for your photo updates Luka, very sad to see though

Cheers Josh. Im hoping you can recognise some spots. And yeah I agree its really sad. We are all keeping our chins up but the place looks absolutely terrible on a grey winters day.

Originally Posted by Zanovijetalo

Hey Milan Luka, where did you pick up these Croatian phrases? You Croat originated? Related to that Botica guy?
Anyway these friends I mentioned were for some reason really freaked out with that recent strong shake, although they were rather determined about staying in ChCh after that first most tragic one. What I can say is that I hope you will manage to built a city that resembles Copenhagen in a way, as when I visited I found it to be an ultra friendly and urban and walkable and organized place.

Thanks for keeping us updated

Ja sam Hrvat! Well, my father anyway. Long historical connection between NZ and Dalmacija. And yeah I'll take the Copenhagen rebuild model, especially if we can import some of their women.

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

Man this is so heartbreaking Thanks Luka, I know that this can't be easy for you but it gives people like us a better indication of what is really happening there. Hang in there mate and we can't wait to see you when you are up in Auckland

You're correct its not easy, every day I see an empty space where there used to be a beautiful building. Am getting used to the dust, noise, demolition crews, etc in the central city. While I agree it is heartbreaking I have to have faith that the new Christchurch will be a beautiful place again. We still have the river, the parks, and plenty of people commited to a future here.

And yes, Im looking forward to a break, have to have things settle here a little first before I can treat myself to a break. Cheers mate.

[DML2]

Will be awesome to see Chch come back even better than before